Johnnie Lee Lacy's Obituary
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Mrs. Johnnie Lee Jackson Lacy
A Life Well Lived
Johnnie Lee Jackson Lacy was born October 9, 1925, to Willie "Deke" Jackson and Essie Feagan in Hallsville, Texas. She was the eldest of Fifteen siblings, Thelma Betty, Feagan Roosevelt, Lawrence, Doris, Mae Dell, Thelma Reece, Hazel Jean, Mary Jane, Shirley Faye, Alfa Mae, Allen, Gwen, Cathy. Johnnie Lee attended public schools throughout her upbringing in Texas. She was always excited and so proud about being a majorette and making the tassels on her boots shake.
In 1945, Johnnie Lee married the love of her life, Asberry "Berry" Lacy and to this union they had six children: Betty Jean, John Esther, Leondaus, Bonnie Fay, Kaharann and Essie Marie. She also had three step children: Robert Louis, Frank White, and Robin Lacy. The children were born in Texas and California. In 1950, the family migrated to Oakland, California.
Mrs. Johnnie Lee Lacy was employed at Children's Hospital Oakland as a Microbiologist Tech. Assistant. Johnnie Lee loved children and her co- workers. She worked at Children's Hospital for over 40 years. She also worked a second job at a care facility in Alameda to earn money to buy her children fine clothes and to keep all the children in the neighborhood fed.
Johnnie Lee deeply loved her children. She was affectionately known to all as Granny. She had a house of inclusion, welcoming all to sleep, stay, eat and feel safe. Every Sunday Granny would cook Sunday Dinner and people would come from miles around to eat, mostly after church. She was known for her sweet red beans and rice with ground beef, greens, mac and cheese, dressing, yams, her famous cornbread, and a host of homemade desserts: peach cobbler, sweet potato pie, cake and banana pudding.
Johnnie Lee Jackson Lacy passed away on September 7, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, numerous sisters and brothers: husband Asberry Lacy; daughter, Essie Marie, stepsons, Robert Louis and Robin Lacy; and grandson, Hasani Washington.
Johnnie Lee leaves to cherish her memory brothers Roosevelt "Duda" Jackson (Lola), Allen Jackson; sisters Doris Stinson, Thelma Betty Jackson and Mary Jane Bonner. Johnnie Lee's children Betty Jean Young, John Esther Lacy, Leondaus Lacy, Bonnie Fay Lacy, (Mark Washington), Kaharann Lacy and stepson Frank White (Alene). Grandchildren: Frank White Jr. (Cleola), John Lacy, Jr., Michael Lacy, Carl Young, Robin Lacy, Jennifer Lacy, Asha Washington, Eric Lacy, Christopher Lacy, Malik Washington, Shaqueoia Brooks. Great -Great Grandchildren: Jecarre, Kurt, Tajah, Michael Jr, Ashante, Makayah, Arianna, Carl, Eric, JJ, Carlito, Sahira, Elijah, Lauren, Dillion, Callie, Christopher Jr., Malik Jr., Carter, Harper, Maurice, Armani, Amir and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
For all those who love and spent quality time with Granny, as she would say .......Ooohhh
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