Home » Past Obituaries » Del Hobbs Gwaltney Lackey

Del Hobbs Gwaltney Lackey

DEL HOBBS GWALTNEY LACKEY

NOVEMBER 17, 1955 – OCTOBER 7 , 2020

Melissa “Del” Dephene Hobbs Gwaltney Lackey, 64, of Lebanon was born to the late James Lee & Maggie May Williams Hobbs.  She is preceded in death by her sister, Margaret Ann Hobbs Robertson & Brother-in-law, Charles Dewey Robertson.

She is survived by The Love of Her Life of 21 years, Walter “Brown” Lackey; Brother, Ronnie Lee Hobbs.  Children: James Cory (Michelle) Gwaltney, Billy (Jill Gwaltney) McSweeney, Dwayne (Jessie) Lackey, Tabitha Lackey.  11 Grandchildren, Chance & Hayden Gwaltney, Randee & Marlee McSweeney, Kelsey (Jarvis) Lackey Jenkins, Jonathan (Lindsay) Lackey, Madison Lackey, David & Tiffany Lackey & Sidney Enoch & Aaliyah Netherton.  8 Great Grandchildren; Willow Kate Reeves & Ivy Jenkins, Waylon & Lexi Lackey, Dyson & Jimmy Lackey, Kannan Hulse, and Madilynn Fox.  Nieces & Nephews: Greg (Medana) Hobbs Hemontolor, Jason (Phyllis) Hobbs, Jamey (Marsha) Robertson & Phillip (Michelle) Tomlinson.  Great Nieces & Nephews: Evan (Alex) & Grayson Hemontolor, Ashley & Samantha Hobbs, Erika Journeay, Luke & Alyssa White, Kasen Journeay, Preston & Tiffany Tomlinson.

Del loved living life with her family and friends. Del loved to travel with the Love of Her Life, “Brown.” They were soul mates, Best Friends & loved being together & playing cards as a favorite pastime.  She loved being with family and planning the J.R. Hobbs, Williams & Lackey family reunions.  Del was the Great Granddaughter of the Late J.R. Hobbs.

Del never met a stranger. She was full of love and laughter and always shared her testimony with others. Every day was an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus and through her cancer journey how Jesus has brought HOPE JOY & LIGHT to her life even through the pain.

Del was employed at Lifeway Christian Resources for 25 years.  After retirement, she was a photographer at heart. She loved all seasons of the year, especially when the leaves change colors.  She loved being part of the Golden Gems with Immanuel Baptist Church and traveling was exciting for Brown & Del. She loved watching the sunrise & sunset and taking pictures of God’s wonders.  She loved holidays that brought her family together.

One of Del’s ministries was people.  She loved sending cards to lift their spirits.  She wanted people to know they still had HOPE in Jesus through the pain.  Del brought JOY to everyone she knew.  To know Del was to LOVE her.

Del loved to visit people that were on their cancer journey—whether just starting their journey or still fighting.  She wanted to share her JOY in Christ through the pain with each survivor.  Through her card ministry, she loved to encourage each fighter & survivor.

Del loved shining her LIGHT for Jesus wherever she went.  She was a highly active member of the HOP JOY LIGHT Women’s Cancer Support Ministry at Immanuel Baptist Church. She challenged every fighter, survivor & warrior to always spread HOPE, seek JOY & shine the LIGHT of Jesus everyday on their journey.

Her remains rest at the Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home, 241 West Main Street, Lebanon, where the family will receive friends on Saturday, October 10, 2020 from 2:00 – 6:00 P.M.  Funeral service 2:00 P.M. Sunday, October 11, 2020, at Immanuel Baptist Church with Bro. Donald Owens and Bro. Jeff Pratt officiating.  Interment will follow at Williams Cemetery.   The family will receive friends again at the church after 1:00 P.M. Sunday.

Pall Bearers: Chance Gwaltney, Hayden Gwaltney, Jonathan Lackey, Jarvis Jenkins, Dwayne Lackey, Jason Hobbs, Phillip Tomlinson, Jamey Robertson, Evan Hemontolor, and Grayson Hemontolor

Honorary Pallbearers:  Hope Joy Light A Women’s Cancer Support Ministry Immanuel Baptist Church, J.R. Hobbs & Williams Families, LifeWay Christian Resources, Immanuel Baptist Church Golden Gems, Immanuel Baptist Church Carl Jones SS Class, and Sherry’s Run.

In Lieu of flowers, Del requested donations be made to HOPE JOY LIGHT Women’s Cancer Support Ministry at Immanuel Baptist Church so they can continue to help other women that are fighting everyday and keep their HOPE JOY LIGHT in Jesus.  RED was her favorite color—when you wear something RED—Think of our sweet Del.

LIGON & BOBO FUNERAL HOME of Lebanon  (615) 444-2142   www.ligonbobo.com

Messages for the Family

  1. Elaine Mount says:
    October 8, 2020 at 5:53 pm
    I so loved this girl! We had so much in common and red is our favorite color! My prayers to her family and especially to her beloved, Brown! It’s times like this that we are so thankful for Christ who makes it possible to see loved ones again! I miss you already Del!
    • Tina Hayes says:
      October 8, 2020 at 8:22 pm
      I was so blessed to have gotten to know Mrs del. But I felt the love come from her and Mr brown. She will be missed.
  2. Anita Woolard says:
    October 8, 2020 at 7:32 pm
    Del was without one of the finest examples of Christianity that I have ever witnessed. I was very proud to call her my friend.
  3. Annette(Seay)Johnson says:
    October 8, 2020 at 8:35 pm
    To the family so sorry for your loss
  4. Betty Leftrick says:
    October 9, 2020 at 2:21 am
    To Brown and all of Del’s family, we send our sincere sympathy. Everyone who knew her loved her, including us. We pray that God will surround you with comfort and peace that only He can give. We are sorry that we will be unable to be with you for her visitation and funeral because we are out of town. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you all. Paul and Betty Leftrick
  5. Marie Fleming Johnson says:
    October 9, 2020 at 2:21 pm
    My heart is broken for all who loved her , counting myself. I feel like I have lost a sister since I have always consider Brown to be my brother. I love this family and we are praying that the Lord covers you with his grace and mercy during this time.
  6. Merilyn Head says:
    October 9, 2020 at 3:39 pm
    Del was a friend,an inspiration full of love for all. My tears flow for you, it is hard to imagine a world without her .and my joy is she is with the Father and no more pain. Love and Prayers
  7. Kaye Allison says:
    October 9, 2020 at 5:50 pm
    Oh sweet Del! What a wonderful person she was. Such a caring, giving, sweet spirited Christian friend. Prayers for you Brown and the children and grandchildren, also her many other relatives. It is going to be hard not to see that sweet smile again but I will forever remember it and her love for everyone. I love red also and every time I wear red I will think of Del. She is with her Father now and no longer in pain. She sure put up a hard fight. Love to all the family.
  8. Tilford Elkins says:
    October 10, 2020 at 1:34 pm
    Del had a good heart and wanted others to have happiness in their heart. To all the family, and especially to my good friend, Ronnie, I wish that peace envelops you, and strength that only comes from God.
  9. Darlene Garrett says:
    October 10, 2020 at 6:45 pm
    What a sweet wonderful soul Del was. Every time we came back to the area due to a funeral in the family, she and Brown were there to support and offer love and peace. She was the best. I’m so sorry to Brown and all the family that you have lost this bright light but I know she is with you to help you through the dark times.
  10. Melissa VanHook says:
    October 11, 2020 at 1:43 pm
    Del came into my life when I was a teenager. It was a time when I needed someone to be caring and loving and she was there. She was my Sunday School teacher, youth leader and team member on the church ball team. Her family was like family to me. I am glad the Lord gave me the opportunity to see her a while back and spend some time talking and catching up. Boy, we had some fun times!! Please accept my sincere sympathy Gwaltney and Lackey families. I was blessed to know and love Del, as were you.
  11. Melanie and Roger Knight says:
    October 11, 2020 at 3:15 pm
    Del was one of the most genuine persons I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Roger and I send our most sincere condolences and prayers for Brown, their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and family.

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