Betty was born February 7, 1931, in Oneonta, NY, the daughter of Basil O. and Millicent C. (Hillis) Grigsby. She grew up on her father’s farm near South Hartwick, NY, and attended grade school there in a rural one room school house. She graduated from Hartwick High School in 1949 and married her first husband, Louis Chicorelli in 1951, with whom she had one daughter, Debra Ann. This marriage ended in divorce. In 1955, she graduated from Oneonta State Teachers College with a B.S. degree in Home Economics. She then taught Home Economics at Tioga Central High School, and later as an Extension Service Agent in Otsego County, NY, and Polk County, FL.
She married Ken Lacy in Bartow, FL, on April 27, 1958. They had three children, Robert, Miriam and Marsha. They lived in Chicago, Brighton, IL, Milwaukee, WI., Charlotte, MI and served beside each other in many avenues of church work. She was born again in 1956 and filled with the Holy Spirit in 1976. She taught Bethel Series Bible Study for 2 years, as well as sewing for 3 years and kindergarten for 3 years.
She suffered twenty-two years with a chronic lung condition, but remained a strong, faithful wife, mother, and Christian. To God Be the Glory. She is survived by her husband Ken; children, Debra Ann (Bill) Chicorelli, Robert Lacy, Miriam (John) Woods and Marsha (Domingo) Gallardo; grandchildren, Naomi, William, Nicole, Caleb, Nicky, Jacob, Nicholas, Matthew and Mya. She was preceded in death by granddaughter Heidi.
I am Leslie Earle Grigsby, oldest son of Betty's brother Earle who took over the farm Betty where Betty grew up. I remember Aunt Betty mostly being at the Jone's Crossing house where we lived before Dad took over the family farm. Aunt Betty would baby sit me. I don't remember any of those times but she would always remind me of this fact whenever we would meet. If there was one striking quality of all the Basil/Millicent children, it was that peaceful and loving aura each radiated. We have lost my dad, Aunt Betty and now Aunt Grace. Christine is the remaining sibling. Uncle Ken, thank you for those many pilgrimages East to keep in touch with family.
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