Nettie Mae Lacey

Nettie Mae Houston Lacey

“Aunt Mae” was born February 12, 1912, to Rufus Houston & Bettie Laura Wilder Houston in Guy’s Store in Leon County, Texas. Nettie and her twin Lettie Arjunior were the 7th and 6th respectively and the second set of twins born to the couple. Her parent in the end would have 13 children to include three sets of twins.

On August 2, 1930 she married her long time neighbor and friend Bennie Lacey. In 1947 Bennie and Mae purchased an acre of land in Normangee, Texas where they would build their dream home. While Uncle Bennie worked at the Davis Cozart Funeral Home for more than 60 years, Nettie Mae was a dedicated and meticulous home-maker.

At an early age, she professed her faith in Christ and became a member of Mt. Ira Baptist Church. After moving to Normangee, Nettie Mae joined Zion Baptist Church where she served as Secretary of the Sunday School. Prior to her passing she was acknowledged as the Mother of the church as its oldest member. During her stay in Fort Worth, she attended Mayfield Baptist Church.

Although there were no biological children born to the couple, they participated in raising their grand nephew Joseph Houston and was actively involved in the lives of 25 nieces and nephews. Upon the death of her beloved Bennie at the age of 98 in 2006 they had enjoyed 75 years of marriage. The following year she lost her twin shortly after celebrating their 95th birthday.

Nettie Mae departed this life for a better and eternal life on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at the Fort Worth Baylor Hospital with her sister by her bedside.

She was proceeded in death by her parents , her husband, her twin sister Lettie Arjunia Robinson and Sisters Millie Lizzy Jones, Maggie Lee Houston and brothers Rufus Jr., Paul, Silas, Qunie, Prince Albert, Jimmie Lee, AB, and Sam Calvin Houston. She was also proceeded by several nieces and nephews.

She leaves to cherish her memories her dedicated baby sister and long term care giver Artince Fortson, her beloved nephew Joseph Houston, her namesake, niece and confidant, Nettie Elliott, nieces Dorothy Bridges, Bettie Jo Green Gaston, Laura Williams, Gloria D. Jelks, Charlotte Williams, Dorothy Jones, Mark Davis, Rufus D. Lacy Nephews, Frank Houston, Frank J Houston, Morris Houston, and a host of other relatives and friends.