James Robert Lackey,

James Robert Lackey, age 85, of 201 James Road, Taylorsville, went home on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at the Veteran's Medical Center in Salisbury, NC surrounded by his family following a brief illness. James was born March 1, 1928 to the late Robert Clarence Lackey and Grace Sloope Lackey. James was a pastor of two churches - Island Ford Baptist (two years) and Wayside Baptist (11 years); proficient in furniture and worked at Ideal Frame Company; received two honorable discharges from the US Army - August 1947 and June 1950, where he received a World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Japan; served the Disabled Veterans No. 84 in providing transportation; played the guitar at Liledoun Baptist Church, where he was a faithful member. Besides his parents, James is preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty-three years - Leona Daphne Smith Lackey; step mother - Sally Knopfel; and sister - Peggy Lackey Childers. Those left to cherish his memory are nieces and nephews - Rodney (Patsy) Warren; Kay (James) Bumgarner; Brent (Monique) Warren, all of Taylorsville; Joy (Paul) McCain of Alabama; and Dr. Bradley Johnson of Greensboro; and two sisters - Bonnie Lackey Johnson and Betty Lackey Sigmon of Mooresville, along with special friends - Melva Little (Ron) Payne of Georgia; Danny & Kathy Presnell, Mark Robinette, and Lois Kuykendall; neighbor - JoAnn Lowe and caregiver - Jessica Presnell.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 4, 2013 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm at Liledoun Baptist Church and Service will begin at 2:00 pm with the Dr. James Lockee and Rev. James Bumgarner officiating. Burial will follow in the Taylorsville City Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by the VFW Post 10,000, of Hiddenite. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice of Alexander County, Inc. @ 50 Lucy Echerd Lane, Taylorsville, NC  28681. Our family wishes to thank you for your prayers, visits, calls, cards, food and words of encouragement.