James Earl Lacey

Funeral services for Mr. James Earl Lacey will be conducted at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 11, 2023, at the First Pentecostal Church of Jackson, MS with the Reverend Myron Schilling officiating, assisted by the Reverend Greg Frazier.  Mr. Lacey, age 88, entered into the eternal rest of his Lord late Tuesday night, November 7, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Pearl, MS.  Saulters Moore Funeral Home, Hughes Funeral Service, LLC,  has been entrusted with arrangements.

Following the funeral service, family and friends will meet at 3:00 PM Saturday afternoon at Attala Memorial Garden, 4900 County Road 1010, Kosciusko, MS, for interment rites.    

The family will receive friends Friday evening, November 10, 2023, beginning at 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at First Pentecostal Church.  Mr. Lacey will also lie in state Saturday morning, beginning at 10:00 AM until the hour of service at 11:00 AM.

James Earl Lacey was born on January 25, 1935 in Leake County, MS to Cephus and Jessie Wadley Lacey.  A dedicated and exemplary employee, he was a respected Melt Shop Supervisor at the Mississippi Steel Corporation, where he dedicated 37 years of his life. Known for his punctuality, Mr. Lacey was always early and believed in the value of hard work. Throughout his impressive career, it is estimated that he missed fewer than ten days of work. His commitment and devotion to his profession were truly admirable.

 Mr. Lacey was a proud graduate of Thomastown Class of 1955. During his time in high school, he held the position of senior class president and also excelled as a basketball player. These experiences helped shape him into the determined and accomplished individual that he became.

Beyond his professional life, Mr. Lacey had a wide array of hobbies and interests. An avid outdoorsman, he delighted in hunting quail. The joyous hunts enjoyed with friends and family were often followed by delicious feasts of the game that had been harvested. In addition to this passion, he also shared his love for basketball with his sons. They have cherished memories of their father taking the time to engage in games with them, both informally and even in church tournaments. It was through these shared moments that they built tight-knit bonds that would endure throughout their lives.  In addition, he was a devoted fan of the Ole Miss Rebels and loved listening to their games on the radio.

However, greater than his commitment to his family was his devotion to his Lord.  He was a charter member of the First Pentecostal Church of Jackson when it was first organized at 710 South President Street. During his time there, he served as a deacon and board member for many years.  Later in life, Mr. Lacey and his wife became charter members of the New Life Apostolic Church.

Despite the challenges posed by Alzheimer's disease, which caused his memories to fade and his past to become intertwined with his present, his family has sweet consolation that his Lord was ever near.  As his family reminisces about their time spent singing old hymns of the church, they find comfort in knowing that he could reach deep into a place where he had stored spiritual treasures and join them in singing about a heavenly home beyond the sky.

James Earl Lacey's life was characterized by loyalty, commitment, and unwavering love for his family, colleagues, and community. He leaves behind an indelible legacy as someone who dedicated himself to hard work, cherished moments of joy with loved ones, and found solace in his spirituality. His memory will forever be treasured by all those whose lives he touched, and he will be deeply missed.  

In addition to his parents, Mr. Lacey is preceded in death by his sister, Louise Burchfield and a brother, Richard Lacey.

His memory will forever be cherished by his beloved wife of 67 years, Nina Skelton Lacey of Pearl; his daughter, Daphne Lacey of Pearl; 2 sons, James Randall Lacey of Oxford, Todd Curtis Lacey of Pearl and 2 sisters, Stella Peeler of Columbia, SC and Christine Odom of Florence.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com