She was predeceased in death by her parents, sisters O'Neal Christenberry Massey and Eloise Christenberry Holifield, brother Johnny H. Christenberry, and great-granddaughter Madison Rylee Sullivan.
She attended school in Marion graduating from Perry County High School in 1951. Emily loved participating in all school activities. She especially enjoyed being a cheerleader and head cheerleader her senior year. She attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute graduating in 1954 with a degree in home economics. While at API, she met the love of her life, her husband Fred, while working together at the Mell Street Cafeteria. They were married July 4, 1954, shortly before Fred reported for duty in Germany with the U.S. Army.
Emily and family followed Fred on many different assignments across the United States and served as "mother and father" while Fred was serving in Korea and Vietnam. Emily taught school in all the different cities that Fred's career took them to. She taught GED classes to active duty soldiers, English as a second language in Germany, and every grade from kindergarten to 8th grade. She relished the experience of teaching in a multi-level school where the only heat was provided by a wood stove; the older students would come early in the morning and light the fire so the room would be warm for "teacher" when she arrived. When they returned to Auburn, Emily returned to school. She earned a masters in early childhood education and a masters in educational leadership at Auburn University. Her greatest service in children's education was as principal of Wrights Mill Road Elementary School for twenty years.
She had a positive influence on the lives of thousands of young people and numerous faculty, who were all dearly loved by Emily. Emily was a loving wife, mother, Meme, Aunt, and great-grandmother. She had a zest for life and never once met a stranger. She engaged everyone in conversation; if she didn't know you, you were just a friend she hadn't met yet. She was constantly curious and loved new experiences.
She loved singing and was a member of the Auburn United Methodist choir for many years. Emily and Fred shared the passion of playing golf; they played together five mornings a week for twenty years.
Emily leaves behind her loving husband Fred of 65 years, daughters: Mary Cynthia Lacy Judy (Ron), Patricia Ann Lacy Campbell (Mark), and Emily Elizabeth Lacy Kvicala (Mike); eight wonderful grandchildren: Lisa Judy Sullivan (Beau), Laura Catherine Judy, Lacy Elizabeth Campbell, Abby Riley Campbell, Chloe Ann Campbell, Michael Patrick Kvicala, Cannon James Kvicala, Reagan Elizabeth Kvicala; delightful great-granddaughter, Parker Elyse Sullivan; brother Boyd E. Christenberry; sister Margaret Christenberry Mayfield Brown, and a host of fabulous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life was held at the Auburn United Methodist Church. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home of Opelika had charge of arrangements
She was predeceased in death by her parents, sisters O'Neal Christenberry Massey and Eloise Christenberry Holifield, brother Johnny H. Christenberry, and great-granddaughter Madison Rylee Sullivan.
She attended school in Marion graduating from Perry County High School in 1951. Emily loved participating in all school activities. She especially enjoyed being a cheerleader and head cheerleader her senior year. She attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute graduating in 1954 with a degree in home economics. While at API, she met the love of her life, her husband Fred, while working together at the Mell Street Cafeteria. They were married July 4, 1954, shortly before Fred reported for duty in Germany with the U.S. Army.
Emily and family followed Fred on many different assignments across the United States and served as "mother and father" while Fred was serving in Korea and Vietnam. Emily taught school in all the different cities that Fred's career took them to. She taught GED classes to active duty soldiers, English as a second language in Germany, and every grade from kindergarten to 8th grade. She relished the experience of teaching in a multi-level school where the only heat was provided by a wood stove; the older students would come early in the morning and light the fire so the room would be warm for "teacher" when she arrived. When they returned to Auburn, Emily returned to school. She earned a masters in early childhood education and a masters in educational leadership at Auburn University. Her greatest service in children's education was as principal of Wrights Mill Road Elementary School for twenty years.
She had a positive influence on the lives of thousands of young people and numerous faculty, who were all dearly loved by Emily. Emily was a loving wife, mother, Meme, Aunt, and great-grandmother. She had a zest for life and never once met a stranger. She engaged everyone in conversation; if she didn't know you, you were just a friend she hadn't met yet. She was constantly curious and loved new experiences.
She loved singing and was a member of the Auburn United Methodist choir for many years. Emily and Fred shared the passion of playing golf; they played together five mornings a week for twenty years.
Emily leaves behind her loving husband Fred of 65 years, daughters: Mary Cynthia Lacy Judy (Ron), Patricia Ann Lacy Campbell (Mark), and Emily Elizabeth Lacy Kvicala (Mike); eight wonderful grandchildren: Lisa Judy Sullivan (Beau), Laura Catherine Judy, Lacy Elizabeth Campbell, Abby Riley Campbell, Chloe Ann Campbell, Michael Patrick Kvicala, Cannon James Kvicala, Reagan Elizabeth Kvicala; delightful great-granddaughter, Parker Elyse Sullivan; brother Boyd E. Christenberry; sister Margaret Christenberry Mayfield Brown, and a host of fabulous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life was held at the Auburn United Methodist Church. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home of Opelika had charge of arrangements
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
See more Lacy or Chrisenberry memorials in:
- Find a Grave Lacy or Chrisenberry
Advertisement