Aimee Champion Lacey

Aimee Champion Lacey, founder of Lacey-Champion, Inc., one of the finest hand tufted rug manufacturers, passed away Monday July 25, 2016 at her residence in Fairmount, Georgia. She was 94.
Mrs. Lacey was born near Fairmount, Georgia in 1922, and was the daughter of the late Lela Pettit Champion and Nathanial Champion. She spent all of her life in the Fairmount area. A pioneer in the hand tufting industry, Mrs. Lacey founded Lacey-Champion Carpets in 1961 following employment with her brother-in-law, Edward Davis Lacey, Sr. of E.D. Lacey Mills. Mrs. Lacey's strong creative talents and business acumen helped guide Lacey-Champion into one of the finest custom rug manufacturers in the world. The prestigious company's rugs were installed in fine residences, hotels, state capitols, governor's mansions and the White House.
Mrs. Lacey cared deeply for her community, including those employed at Lacey- Champion, Inc. She felt a strong commitment to build a trusting environment among her employees, and guided them with conviction. Bi-annually, she held a company-wide party, abundant with food and games, to celebrate the dedication of her employees. Lauded for her talent and vision, Mrs. Lacey was also committed to the community in which she was raised and loved so much.
Assisting in the improvement of Fairmount's community areas was one of the many things Mrs. Lacey valued. As she has been quoted, "Fairmount has given me friendship, love, opportunity and security. I have everything I need right here in Fairmount." Through the years, Aimee Lacey was involved in many civic organizations including the Fairmount City Council, Gordon County Chamber of Commerce, an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers and an active member of the Fairmount First Baptist Church.
Aimee Lacey was married to the love of her life for 62 years, James Alfred Lacey who preceded her in death. Together they had one son, James Allen Lacey, MD, who was married to Meredith David Lacey, both deceased. Also preceding her in death were her siblings Opal Champion Shirley and her husband Bursey F. Shirley, Ruby Jo Champion Cooley and her husband William Stacey Cooley, Nathanial R. Champion and Aaron Brady Champion and his wife Christine Rogers Champion.
Survivors are two grandchildren, Marjette Lacey McDonnell and her husband James P. McDonnell of Atlanta, Georgia, and Mitchell Todd Lacey of Longwood, Florida; along with five great-grandchildren Elizabeth Austin McDonnell of New York, NY, Reilly Ann McDonnell of Washington, DC, James Patrick McDonnell, Jr., of Atlanta, GA, James Allen Lacey II and William Brady Lacey both of Longwood, FL. She will also be missed by many nieces and nephews.
The Lacey family will receive friends on Friday, July 29, 2016 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. from the Calhoun First Baptist Church. The Reverend Doctor Bert Vaughn will officiate. Burial will follow the service in the family plot at Fain Cemetery. Pallbearers are Bo Ackerman, Nat Ackerman, Patrick McDonnell, Allen Lacey, Patrick Richardson, and Tyler Richardson. Honorary pallbearers are Michael Gibson and Jimmy Clark. Mrs. Lacey's body will lie in state at the church on Saturday from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m.
For memorials, the family suggests The American Cancer Society, 3380 Chastain Meadows Parkway NW, Suite 200, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144, or online at www.cancer.org. Friends may sign the online guest register at www.maxbrannonandsons.com.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home of Calhoun.