Edith McClung Lackey of Lexington, Virginia, passed away Monday, June 20, 2016, after a short stay at Golden Living Center in Buena Vista.
She was born September 16, 1920, in Fairfield, Virginia, to the late Romer Hansford and Myrtle Eakin McClung.
Edith spent her whole life as a nurturer and caregiver.
At the age of 18 upon graduation from Fairfield High School, she left home to travel to Clifton Forge, and be a caregiver for an elderly lady. She saved her money from that job and a waitress job to pay for one of her younger siblings to attend Business College. This was the continuing story through her life.
Until two years before her death, she made homemade bread and jam to take to new people in the neighborhood, prepared goodie boxes at Christmas which she delivered to all her friends in the community, and took care of ailing family members in her home.
She volunteered as a Gray Lady at Stonewall Jackson Hospital, worked blood drives and provided after-hours Service to the Military with the American Red Cross.
Edith taught the three year-old nursery at the Lexington Presbyterian Church for decades and travelled around the state teaching other Presbyterians the newest methods of instruction.
Her 'children' still remembered her fondly as she would relay anecdotes of their antics as three year-olds. She was a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Women and served in nearly every capacity on the board of that body and was a faithful circle member. She was a member of the Lexington Woman's Club for 61 years until the time of her death. She led the Club as President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Hospitality Chair, Ways and Means Chair, and Historian. Edith loved the new, younger members and reminded others that these women were the life-blood of the Club.
She and Ralph mentored many newlyweds who chose to rent a small apartment from them. Although they had only one child by birth they were surrogate parents to many young couples who still hold her dear.
In 1944 she married Ralph Davidson Lackey, who predeceased her in 2011 after sixty-seven years of marriage.
She is survived by one daughter, Cheryl Lackey Fairchilds and her husband, J. Vern Fairchilds Jr. of Lexington; one grandson, Page Barnhart Fairchilds and his wife, Holly Jo of Salem; two great grandsons, Isaac Ryan and Gabriel O'Brien Fairchilds of Salem. She is also survived by one sister, Polly Ann McClung of Staunton; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Stonewall Jackson Cemetery with a memorial service following at 2 p.m. at the Lexington Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow in Dunlap Auditorium, where the family will receive family and friends.
Visitors may call at the home of Cheryl and Vern Fairchilds, 40 Aerie Overlook, Lexington, at any time.
Edith always valued educational opportunities and for this reason in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Lexington Woman's Club Scholarship Fund, c/o Jeanne Alexander, 1285 Brownsburg Turnpike, Rockbridge Baths, Va. 24473.
