Jeanne Douglas Franklin Lacey, 83, died July 7, 2011 peacefully in her sleep after an arduous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
She was born June 4, 1928 in Birmingham to Dr. Alfred Kenneth Franklin and Mary Lee Franklin. She was accomplished in voice, violin and piano, primarily taught by her elder sister, Louise.
She attended the University of Alabama, earning a B.S. in home economics in 1952. In 1959, she and her family moved to Baldwin County, where she began teaching third and fourth grades at Foley Elementary. She later taught home economics at Daphne Middle School. After earning her Master’s Degree in counseling from the University of South Alabama, she became a guidance counselor at Daphne Middle School, where she worked until her retirement in 1993. She was also an activist in political, educational and environmental venues.
She was president of the Baldwin County Chapter League of Women Voters for many years. In 1978 she became a member of the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (an educational honorary sorority) and was actively involved in Baywatch, Weeks Bay Estuarine Sanctuary and other environmental groups.
A constant political activist in support of clean water and the health of Mobile Bay, she worked to develop cooperation between local and county governments to address storm water runoff and sewer/population density issues. Her work resulted in the designation as a rookery of the east end of Robinson’s Island and the placing of the perches for the birds to help naturally re-seed the grass beds in the waters there.
In her golden years, she moved to Westminster Village and enjoyed being part of that community. Special thanks go to those who cared for her so lovingly there.
She was preceded in death by sister, Louise Franklin Stewart; and one grandson, Walter Austin Lacey.
Survivors include three children, Richard C. (Cindy) Lacey Jr. of Orange Beach, Lila L. (Bill) Terry of Sulphur, La., and Eric (Theresa) Lacey of Fairhope; six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many friends.
Visitation begins at 2 p.m. with a Celebration of Life service at 2:30 p.m. Monday, July 18 at Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church.
The family requests memorial donations be made to The Austin Lacey Foundation, www.AustinLaceyFund.com; the Community Foundation of South Alabama, P.O. Box 990, Mobile, AL 36601-0990; or the Mobile Baykeeper, 450-C Government St., Mobile, AL 36602.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Fairhope.
