Rebecca F. Lacey

Shepherd Mother Rebecca Lacey, affectionately known as "Beck", peacefully entered eternal rest on September 18, 2025. She leaves behind a rich legacy of faith, family, genuine love, and service to others. She was the eighth of eleven children born to Mother Mary Magdalene and Deacon John F. Smiling on June 20, 1943, in Dillon, South Carolina. Rebecca was a beautiful child whose perception for extraordinary evident. Educated in South Carolina Public Schools, she established herself as an exceptional academic student, participating in extracurricular activities including the glee club, drama club, Future Homemakers of America, and the National Honor Society. Because of her poise, beauty, and charm, she competed in and earned first place in numerous competitions, including speech, debate, and beauty pageants. Rebecca broke the "glass ceiling" to non-traditional careers long before most people heard of a "glass ceiling". She successfully passed the South Carolina School Bus Drivers Exam, normally administered to male students, earning the esteemed honor of becoming the very first female bus driver in the state of South Carolina. In 1963, she graduated from Manning Training High School in the top 10% of her senior class. After high school, she continued to excel in public speaking, reciting her spiritually powerful rendition of the civil rights activist, James Weldon Johnson's "The Creation". Rebecca accepted Christ as her personal Savior at the tender age of 12 as a member of Bethesda Baptist Church. She served as an usher, children's Sunday school teacher, church secretary, choir member,and participated in various church activities. Upon graduating high school, Rebecca moved to Long Island, New York, to assist her uncle and aunt, the late Bishop Thomas and Elder Lillie Smiling, ultimately becoming a member of Morning Star Pentecostal Church. As an actively involved member in church work, Rebecca ultimately met the love of her life, M. Louis Lacey, who was the Minister of Music. They were married in 1966, and to this union was added three children. In 1979, upon the leading of the Holy Spirit and the request of the late Bishop James F. Brown, Jr, the Lacey family relocated to Richmond, Virginia and became members of Jerusalem Holy Church, where her husband would serve as church organist. Rebecca worked in various capacities, including choir member, and served both the Bishop and then pastor Olive C. Brown. Outside of her service in ministry, she excelled in her professional career with the United States Postal Service for over 37 years. In 1993, Minister Lacey became the founding Pastor of the Children of God Victory Tabernacle and Rebecca "Shepherd Mother' working, serving, and mentoring the women of the church. She remained the First Lady of COGVT and passed the mantle on to her youngest daughter when her son-in-law, Dr. Derrick L. Peterson, Sr, became her senior pastor in 2019. Shepherd Mother has always walked in courage, dignity, elegance, grace, and strength. She will FOREVER remain known for her many gifts, including singing, spoken word, sewing, mentoring, creating floral arrangements, and cooking. Her memory will be cherished by her loving husband, Bishop M. Louis Lacey, three generations, including her children, Lacelle (Reginald) Moses, Timothy ("devoted" Ailen)Lacey, and Tania (Derrick Sr.) Peterson; grandchildren Shontia, Aiesha (Vidrell), Reginald Jr., Alexis, Derrick Jr., Timothy II, Darian (Jessica), Daniel, and Ty; and eight adorable grandchildren. Rebecca's memory will be cherished by her beloved siblings, sister, Gardenia Sligh, and brothers, John Henry (Francis)Smiling and Pastor Albertis (Eyvonne) Smiling; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and godchildren. She is preceded in eternal rest by siblings, Gedine Smiling, Ernestine Pack, E.L. Smiling, Joe Edward Smiling, Eula Mae Dozier, Viola Witherspoon, and Everlena Smiling.

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Rebecca F. Lacey

June 20, 1943 - September 18, 2025