Lacy Fore "Butch" Cumbey

Lacy Fore “Butch” Cumbey went to be with the Lord on February 7th, 2024 at the age of 88. Butch was born on June 6, 1935 to the late Louise Amos Cumbey and Lacy Thomas Cumbey and was married to Virginia W. Cumbey on April 16, 1988.

Butch grew up in Farmville, VA and attended Farmville High School. He loved all sports, as he was the captain of the football, basketball, and baseball teams during his tenure. As you could guess, he was the quarterback for the football team, the center for the basketball team, and as for baseball, he was the pitcher or the catcher. With little doubt, he was voted Most Athletic in his senior class. After high school, he was pursued by the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburg Pirates, and the Cleveland Indians and he chose to play with Cleveland. His baseball career didn’t last very long. When he got to Florida for spring training, while Butch was on deck to hit, the batter at the plate threw his bat. Unfortunately, that bat would end up hitting Butch in the knee, which ended his desire to play baseball. Butch also loved golf and was a very competitive player. He went to Green's Folly every single day. His famous quote was, “You play to win!” His favorite professional and collegiate teams were the Washington Redskins, the Boston Red Sox, and the University of Virginia Cavaliers. His favorite players were Babe Ruth and Ted Williams. He was also a proud Veteran of his country, having served during the Korean Conflict from 1958 until 1960. He retired from Centel (Century Link) after 37 years of service in 1992. You may not have known him, but he was a unique person. He would tell you that he lived a wonderful life and that life was good to him.

In addition to his wife of 36 years, Virginia, Butch is survived by children, Robin Tuck Arthur (David) and Ted Rickmond (Marilyn); grandchildren, Lindsie Goodman (Jimmy) and Ben Arthur; great grandchildren, Juliana Goodman and Alina Goodman; nephew, Dean Cumbey (Becky) and niece, Lisa Cumbey; special nephews, Chris Young and Evan Dale Elliott; and many other beloved nieces and nephews and family members.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Butch's many wonderful caregivers, his home caregivers, Phyllis Franklin, Michelle Mills; family, Dianne Watts, Nancy Young, Winnie Tuck, and all the caring and attentive people at Commonwealth Senior Living.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Susan Tuck Rickmond; and brothers, James Craig Cumbey, Thomas Edward Cumbey, and Johnny Cumbey.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 10th at 11:00 AM at Florence Avenue Baptist Church with the Reverend Herbert Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Virgilina Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Brooks Lyon Funeral Home on Friday, February 9th from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.