(1943 – 2020)
Jannette Lackey was a native of Calhoun County. After graduating from Auburn University in 1965, she worked for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System in Hale, Cherokee, and Marshall counties. She served as CEC and FCS agent in Calhoun County where she retired in 1999 and continued to volunteer with community agencies.
During the twelve years as a 4-H agent in Hale and Cherokee counties, youth earned three national scholarships and participated in 110 trips including the National 4-H Congress, the American Institute of Cooperatives, and the Poultry Fact-Finding Conference.
In Marshall County, Lackey worked with homemakers, Family and Community Leaders, and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program supervising four program assistants and an EFNEP clerk. She and Virginia Goebel, EFNEP Program Specialist, secured a grant to develop a computer program that saved 79% of the time required for reporting by hand.
She published award-winning newsletters and newspaper articles. Her Home Management and Budget Planning Programs saved families money. Lackey organized Homemaker Day for 15 years with an average attendance of 125. The day secured qualified speakers to conduct seminars on nutrition, estate planning, and other topics related to home and family.
Lackey was active in the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science (Distinguished Service Award, as well as state, regional, and national communications awards), Alpha Pi Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi (Visionary Leadership Award), and many community organizations. She was recognized within the community for her leadership and participation.
She was active in retirement using her skills in sewing, crafts, and foods to strengthen ties with others. She gifted flowers and plants to neighbors. She organized a Christmas ornament swap. She made coconut cakes with freshly grated coconut and real seven-minute icing. Many friends still admire her work.
She was a big Auburn fan. War Eagle games were close to her heart.
Her parents Fred H. and Irene Lackey preceded Jannette Lackey in death. Survivors include her sister Sue Adams and her husband John.
The Alpha Pi Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi honors and remembers Irene Jannette Lackey by placing her name on the dedicatory plaque of the ACES Memorial Chapel.
Chapel Plaque Inscription Plaque: 647
