Vernese Cassandra Lacey, sympathy

2025-2026 Bill 4859: Vernese Cassandra Lacey, sympathy - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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H. 4859
STATUS INFORMATION
House Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Luck, McDaniel and Williams
Document Path: LC-0368VR-RM26.docx
Introduced in the House on January 14, 2026
Adopted by the House on January 14, 2026
Summary: Vernese Cassandra Lacey, sympathy
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

1/14/2026

House

Introduced and adopted (
House Journal-page 53
)

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
01/14/2026

A
house
RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF VERNESE CASSANDRA LACEY OF
COLUMBIA AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

W
hereas, the members of
the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the passing
of Vernese Cassandra Lacey of Columbia on December 1, 2025, at the venerable
age of eighty-six; and

W
hereas, born in
Bennettsville on May 18, 1939, Vernese Cassandra Lacey (affectionately known as
"Lil Sister") came into this world the daughter of the late Ila Harley Ward and
Hezikiah Ward Sr. Her father was the last living World War I veteran in South Carolina
when he passed away on February 27, 1996; and

W
hereas, the young
Vernese attended the public schools of Marlboro County, later studying at
Brooklyn College and New York Community College in New York for her educational
enrichment; and

W
hereas, this woman of
faith accepted Christ at an early age and joined Pleasant Hill Baptist Church,
where she served using her musical gifts in the choir and with the piano, as
well as in other roles. During her years in New York, she served the Lord at
Mount Lebanon Baptist Church and the Church of New Beginnings in Brooklyn; and

W
hereas, in God's good
time, she met and married Harvey John Lacey, the Lord blessing the couple with
a fine family of three sons, Kevin, Kenny, and Vernon. Her husband passed away
on August 26, 2016; and

W
hereas, Vernese was a
loving, giving, and passionate servant within the New York City Board of
Education system for thirty years. She served in many roles as an educator,
particularly in the special education realm, in which she excelled. Possessing
a unique and magical way of reaching children with special needs, she also used
her uncanny charisma and charm to win over the hearts of her peers and
supervisors. Vernese further used this skill set to serve organizations such as
the Cultural Institution of New York until she reached retirement; and

W
hereas, always sharply
dressed, witty, and vivacious, Vernese could win over a room full of friends
and foes alike just by smiling; and

W
hereas, Mrs. Lacey
leaves to cherish her memory her three sons, Kevin Lacey of Texas, Kenny Lacey
(Dawn) of Columbia, South Carolina, and Vernon Lacey of Brooklyn, New York; two
grandchildren, Brandon Alexander Lacey of Columbia and Krystle Marie Lacey of
Clemson; and a host of nieces and nephews, who will forever treasure her love,
wit, and beautiful smile. She will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,

B
e it resolved by the
House of Representatives
:

T
hat the members of the
South Carolina
House of Representatives
,
by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Vernese
Cassandra Lacey of Columbia and extend the deepest sympathy to her family and
many friends.

B
e it further resolved
that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on January 14, 2026 at 3:10 PM