Our Founders
Robert W. Lacy - 1874 - 1931
Source: Obituary
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Robert W. Lacy, the eldest son of the late Richard Tyree Lacy and Alberta Ferguson Lacy was born in Lynchburg, VA, May 28, 1874, where he spent his boyhood and early manhood. He came to Bluefield about 1901 and has been continuously active in business affairs of this section until his illness, which began seven months ago.
During his long residence in this city Mr. Lacy had made many friends in all walks of life. His staunch loyalty and high sense of integrity made him an esteemed and honored citizen, churchman and business man. He was a member of the Christ Episcopal church and for many years a vestryman in that church. And as such was very loyal and diligent and faithful as long as his health permitted.
Mr. Lacy was a charter member of the Bluefield Rotary club and acted as the first secretary of this service organization, and contributed greatly, to its progress and welfare. Always loyal and willing to serve the worthy cause he gave thirty years of service and good citizenship to Bluefield and vicinity. The well-known and popular merchandise broker died at 3:30 Saturday afternoon [May 23, 1931] at the Lacy home, 229 Union Street. Had Mr. Lacy lived until next Thursday he would have been 57 years of age.
Mr. Lacy is survived by his wife, who before marriage, was Miss Helen Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Johnson, of Christiansburg. Va., and two children, Charles Johnson Lacy and Miss Helen Virginia Lacy, two brothers, R. A. Lacy of Johnson City, Tenn. and H. O. Lacy of Houston, Texas, and two sisters, Mrs. W. B. Ball, of Johnson City, and Miss Pattie Lacy, of Richmond, Va.
During Mr. Lacy’s prolonged illness Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, the parents of Mrs. Lacy, have been in Bluefield. Mr. Johnson, former State Treasurer of Virginia, has been looking after the affairs of his son-in-law.
Funeral services will be held in Christ Episcopal Church, Duhring and Tazewell streets, Monday morning at 10 o’clock, and will be conducted by the Rev. Jennings W. Hobson, the rector. The interment will be in Christiansburg, VA Monday afternoon about 2:30. The body will be taken by motor hearse and relatives and friends will go by automobile.
Pallbearers for the funeral Monday were announced last night as follows: W. C. Given, Harman Woodward, S. H. Meem, P. J. Alexander, J. G. Barrow. J. H. Hoge, B. H. Hancock, Dr. J. D. McCue. and O. M. Deyerle, all of Bluefield and W.; D. McDowell, of Keystone, H. M. Wade and G. T. Elett, both of Christiansburg.