Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. DeLacey Alan Thomas, 62, originally from Whipple, WV, yet residing in Winston-Salem, NC, was called to rest on Saturday, October 3, 2020 after his fight with cancer. Beloved by so many, our dearest Lacey, aka “Carolina”, “Rail”, “Mad Dog”, has made his transition and is now victorious in Heaven. He’s left numerous great stories and memories to cherish. His departure leaves our hearts heavy.

Lacey was born on November 6, 1957, he was the son of the late Delbert “Puddin” and Ramona Coles of Whipple, WV. Lacey was the third child of nine siblings.

Lacey attended Scarbro Number 2 School and Collins High School in Oak Hill, WV. In his younger years, Lacey loved playing sports and excelled in baseball. He played Oak Hill Little League Baseball for the Indians and Senators and became one of their most outstanding players. With an eagle eye and an incredible instinct, Lacey would turn his head slightly to the side and know just when to hit. Crack! Another one out of the park. And you’d watch Lacey take a slow stroll around the bases because he had the time. He hit at least two or three home runs in almost every game. Back in those days, Tom’s Carryout would give out coupons for a FREE WV Hot Dog or BBQ Bun for every home run hit and they knew Lacey by name.

Lacey had a magnetism that drew people to him. All he needed to do was flash those pearly white teeth, and they were hooked.

Lacey married Deidre Allen of Fayetteville, WV, but they are now divorced, however, they still remained good friends and she had a special place in his heart.

Lacey could also use his natural charisma to talk his way out of anything— and believe us, he did. He stuck to his values and never backed down. (We believe his daughter, Shedee, has inherited this wonderful trait from Lacey. We love you, Shedee!)

From high school, Lacey entered the Job Corps and relocated to Ogden, Utah. He had great memories of his years out West. It was in Utah where he learned how to work on cars. Lacey loved cars— the faster, the better. Whenever you saw Lacey, he was driving up in a nice car. Lacey was adventurous, exciting, and the kind of person who made you feel good just being around him. He was also a legendary ladies’ man. The ladies loved Lacey and he loved them in return. Our Lacey wasn’t perfect and had many flaws, but we adored him. It was hard not to love him. Even his exes still maintained great friendships with him after breaking up. In addition to the ladies, Lacey also loved his gun. Yes, his gun. He made sure everyone knew that he was “packing” and there never came a fight that he backed down from. You always felt protected in his presence.

Lacey was a master story teller. No one could have you on the edge of your seat like Lacey. From character description to gripping plot — with sound effects — Lacey’s stories always ended with a victorious blaze of gun fire and a barrel of laughs. You’d laugh so much that your jaws would hurt. The remarkable thing about Lacey’s stories was that they were absolutely true (with slight embellishments). He was such a character, and was truly loved by so many people.

Lacey worked as a construction foreman on various job sites throughout North and South Carolina prior to retiring under a disability. In the South, they gave him a new nickname, “Carolina.” If you knew him as Carolina, you knew a man who was a hard worker. He always had three things: a car, a job, and a gun. Carolina was a country boy at heart and never liked the city life, it just wasn’t his style. Carolina was street wise and willing to share sound advice about life. He slowed down and mellowed out in his latter years.

Lacey gave his life to the Lord at an early age and recommitted himself to Christ prior to his death. He knew he had lived a blessed life and was so thankful for God’s Grace and Mercy. Lacey’s heart was humbled and he learned that forgiveness and gratefulness were the peace makers of his life. He loved his children and all those who loved him.

Lacey often would say, “I just want to sit under my ‘thinking tree’ and have a cold drink.” His thinking tree was a huge shade tree in his yard where he enjoyed sitting and just reflecting on life. Carolina, Rail, Lacey, Mad Dog, you will be missed. Rest easy under that “Heavenly” thinking tree until we see you again.

Cherishing his memory are his children, Arthur (Andrea) Swafford, Shedee Allen, Lacyia Thomas, Lacey Moore, Patricia Thomas, William Cook, DeLacy Thomas II, and Ameria Morris, along with 13 grandchildren; siblings, Aubrey (Kyo) Thomas, Garrison Thomas, Kandice (Patrick) Carter, Milton Thomas (deceased), Garnet (Randolph) Ward, Kelli Hollins, Delbert Coles, and Rachel (Jean-Pierre) Roberts; four loving and special friends, Shelby Allen, Harriett “Granny” Andrews, Tara Gaye, and Terry Brooks; three step-children, Alaysha, Shanet and Maurice and a host of other relatives and friends.

Farewell service will be 12:00Noon Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Mountain View Church of God, 2 Mount View Road, Hilltop, WV with Pastor Bruce Hogan officiating. Burial will follow in Meadow Haven Memorial Park, Ingram Branch.

Friends, while wearing gloves and masks and observing social distancing, may pay their respects to the family beginning at 11:30AM.

Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.