W.T. Shumake & Daughters

October 19, 1935 - December 22, 2025

Mildred Louise Lacy, 90, of Louisville transitioned on Monday, December 22, 2025 at Baptist Health Hospital.

Visitation 3pm - 7pm Thursday, January 1, 2026 at W. T. Shumake & Daughters Funeral Home 3815 Newburg Road.

Funeral 11am Friday, January 2, 2026 at Howard Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 1715 E. Market Street, New Albany, Indiana.
Private Burial 11am Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Evergreen Cemetery.

On October 19, 1935, in Logan County, Kentucky, Mildred Louise Orndorff Lacy, was born to Alene (Kennedy) Orndorff and Ben Zedie Orndorff. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Antioch Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. She attended State Street High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Mildred married Zack Carr and to that union her eldest son, Dwight Andrew, was born. She later met and married the “love of her life” and lifelong companion Willie Thornton Lacy of Russellville, Kentucky, and on December 18, 2025, together they celebrated 71 years of marriage. They moved to Louisville, where their family grew as they built their lives together. She started her career in nursing; however, her focus was always God and family first. She chose to forego a career and elected to become a full-time homemaker to serve the needs of her family.

Mildred was a strong advocate for equality, education, wellness, and health. She was a force to reckon with as she championed support services for her son, Ricky and other Prader-Willi individuals. She and Willie spear headed the inception and organization of Kentucky-Ana Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (PWSA). Led by God, together with the support of their families, the National PWSA organization and a committed group of parents they were able to improve how services in education, mental health and medicine for special needs individuals were viewed and how the services were delivered. Their efforts culminated in the development of a world-wide PWSA organization that included parents, educators, scientific researchers, medical professionals, social services advocates, and government agencies. Mildred held several executive positions, serving as President for the PWSA Kentucky-Ana. She served on the Board of Directors for the national and international PWSA organizations, positioning her as the sole representative for the United States in PWSA conferences in Italy, Germany and Norway. She served in many positions within the organizations locally, nationally and internationally. Mildred was recognized throughout the organization for her commitment and dedication to individuals and families living with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Mildred served as a life-long member of Howard Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in New Albany, IN. She was respected and loved deeply by her fellow worshippers. She was fondly known as “Mother Lacy” and she mentored young women in her family and the church congregation.
Mildred enjoyed cooking, sewing, crafting, and traveling…and boy, did she every travel! Family vacations were always a priority, reaching every corner of the country from Niagara Falls to Hawaii, and everything in between. She especially loved the “Rocky Mountains of Colorado” and made a point to vacation there every chance she got!

On December 22, 2025, Mildred Louise Lacy transitioned to her eternal resting place, and she was preceded in death by her parents, Alene and Ben Zedie Orndorff, her son Dwight Andrew Carr, her daughter Yvonne Evans (Lacy) and grandson, Aaron Woodard Jr., and Julian Woodard.

Mildred leaves to cherish her memory; her devoted and loving husband, Willie; her two sons Willie “Bill” Lacy Jr. (Vette) and Ricky Lacy; step-daughter Carolyn Davis; her grandchildren Reginald Woodard, Antwan Bailey, Lisa Smith (Wesley), William “Burl” Williamson (Kendra), Ernest “Nordy” Williamson (Jami), Rolynne France (Johnny),Willie “Bill” Lacy III (Alicia), Zakiya Lacy, and Dwight Lacy; daughter-in-law Deborah Carr, son-in-law Donald Evans; 21 great grand-children; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends who loved her dearly.