Fannie West

Fannie “Lacy” (Wikle) West, (97) of Overland Park, KS, died August 7, 2021 in Overland Park Kansas. Memorial Services will be at 12 Noon, Friday, August 13, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church Cloud Chapel, 67th and Nall Ave., Mission, Kansas. Lacy was born on March 5, 1924 in Huntsville, Alabama and had lived in the Kansas City area since 1946. She graduated from Huntsville High School and attended Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia. She later attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn, Alabama and was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. During World War II, after working as a stenographer in Huntsville, she enlisted in the Navy in May, 1945. She then graduated from the W.A.V.E.’s Training Center at Hunter College, in New York City. After graduation, she was transferred to the Anti-Submarine Development Squadron, Atlantic Fleet, at Quonset Point Naval Air Station, Rhode Island. While serving there, she met her future husband, Kenneth G. West from Kansas City, Missouri. She later served at the Opelika Naval Air Station, Miami, Florida, and at a naval base in Key West until her discharge in August, 1946. Lacy and Ken were married in Huntsville on September 7, 1946, and settled in Kansas City, Missouri. They moved to Prairie Village, Kansas in 1950. In 1963 they moved again to Overland Park, Kansas. Lacy was a very gracious Southern lady who was her husband’s inspiration and helpmate over the years. Patient, understanding, and a tireless mother, she nurtured and brought out the best qualities in their four children. Lacy was also very talented at creating beautiful, eclectic home décor in which she took great pride. She was a wonderful cook and always a charming hostess at dinners with Ken’s managers and business associates, in her home and when entertaining out of town business visitors. Lacy was devoted to her husband and all her family. She is remembered by family and friends for her sweet, generous and loving nature. She touched many people with her kindness and generosity and will be deeply missed. Lacy was a long time member of St. Michaels and All Angels Episcopal Church. In her earlier years, she was Chairman of the St. Margarita’s Guild and was involved in various other church activities. In 1967, she became a member of the P.O.E. Sisterhood, Chapter H N. Lacy was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, and her daughter, Fannie Lacy. She is survived by her Sons, John Randolph West, Amarillo, TX; Kenneth G. West, Jr., Fairfield, IA; William Merritt West, Overland Park KS; Sister In-law Permelia W. (Pam “Wikle”) Rogers, Huntsville AL; Nephew, Merritt L. Wikle III and Niece, Laura (Wikle) Jones.