Lacy Lee Hill was born February 1, 1905 to the parents of Amos and Annie Ora Meeks Chavis in Little Rock, Arkansas. Lacy is the third daughter of nine children, eight girls and one boy. They have all passed with the exception of one sister, Bernice Russell of San Francisco.
She attended elementary school and furthered her education at Charter College in Little Rock. Lacy married at an early age to Curtis Reason and, to this union, four children were born: Alma Reason Fraction of Englewood, California; Curtis Jr.; Charles Edward; and William Joseph Reason. She divorced and later married Jo McCray and had two more sons, Freddie and Dale McCray. With the exception of her oldest daughter, all of her children have preceded her in death.
Lacy separated from her husband in September 1943 and moved to St. Louis, where she raised her children. She also assisted in raising 26 other children. She has 12 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren. Children seem to be a pillar of strength for her. Certainly, they keep her busy.
She has worked various jobs to support her family, mostly maid work in hotels, where she served notorious gangsters such as Al Capone and Pretty Boy Floyd. She attended African Methodist Church, but mostly enjoyed praise and worship in her home. When asked what do you think has kept you alive so long, she said, “Are you crazy? The good Lord. I didn’t drink, smoke or mess around. I served Him.”