Venita Lacey

Venita Youngblood Lacey (94) was born on October 10, 1931, in Barney, Georgia, to Hardy and Ernie Youngblood. She attended elementary school in Barney and graduated from high school in Morven, Georgia.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A. M. on Monday, December 8, 2025 at Campground Cemetery, 1146 Campground Road, Morvan, Ga. 31638 with Rev. Ike Branch officiating. No formal visitation will be held.

Raised on a farm, Venita often shared fond stories of picking cotton and vegetables, tending pigs and the family cow, and spending joyful days playing with her nieces and nephews. When she was born, her next oldest sister was already in high school, and her two eldest sisters were married with children. Still, her parents always insisted she was very much planned—and deeply loved.

After high school, Venita met and married Leonard McCoy (“Coy”) Lacey. Together, with their two children, Lavon and Tina, built a home in Quitman, Georgia, next to her beloved Aunt—affectionately known as Mama Pike.

In the early 1960s, Coy began working for Richardson Ford in Tifton, prompting the family’s move there, where they remained ever since.

To say Venita was involved in her community would be an understatement. She volunteered as a “Pink Lady” at Tift General Hospital, led a Girl Scout troop and a Webelos pack, and enthusiastically supported her children in band, 4-H, and Scouting. She was a constant presence at Tifton Church of the Nazarene, her cherished spiritual home, where she did everything but preach. When I (Lavon) once asked why we went to the Nazarene church instead of the Baptist one—which seemed more fun—Mama simply said, “Well, I guess because Jesus was a Nazarene.” That answer worked for me.

When I left for college, Mama began working in the lab at Bold Corporation, an agricultural chemical company. She eventually ran the lab and continued working there well into her late 70s, only stepping away when knee trouble made the stairs too difficult. She loved her work and dearly cherished “my girls”—the women she worked with and considered family.

A beloved tradition began years ago when Mama and I started meeting our favorite cousins in Perry for the state fair on her birthday. Every year—including last October—Mama rode the camel. The camel handler knew her by name and was always excited to see her. The camel may have been too—but it was hard to tell.

Venita is survived by her son, Lavon (Juan)Lacey, and was preceded in death by her husband Coy Lacey, daughter Tina Lacey English, parents Hardy and Ernie Youngblood, and sisters Elizabeth Hill, Gladys Grice, and Velma Sherrod.

She is also survived by her church family, especially Pastor Ike Branch and Avie Farmer, along with countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. She left a legacy of love to everyone who knew her.

Special thanks to Meals on Wheels, Tiftarea Hospice and to Jackee Watts—the best caregiver in the world and Dr. Brent Savelli, his staff and the entire team at Tift Regional Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tifton Meals On Wheels, PO Box 2053, Tifton, GA 31794 and The Tifton Church of the Nazarene, 3024 Tift Ave N, Tifton GA 31794

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.