Fort Worth, Texas – Monday, March 10, 2025 – Lillian Troupe Lackey, a distinguished educator, recipient of the Teacher of the Year award, inspiring “First Lady” in numerous organizations and dedicated youth advocate, will be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from West Coast Bible College & Seminary (WCBCS). Lillian Lackey, who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and service within her community and various organizations, will receive this honor at a formal ceremony on Saturday, June 7, 2025. The event will accommodate both in-person and online attendance.
Dr. Phillip S. Porter, President of WCBCS, expressed his excitement: “Lillian embodies the principles of servant leadership, having devoted her life to joyfully serving others. She has provided nourishment for the body, inspiration for the mind, and spiritual enlightenment for the souls within her community. It is my distinct honor and privilege to welcome her into the esteemed West Coast family.”
During her tenure as a middle school math teacher, Lillian Troupe Lackey was recognized as Teacher of the Year more than once. As a college campus secretary, she was recognized as Office Personnel Professional of the Year and the very first Black secretary in Mississippian to receive a Masters designation. Despite those lofty achievements, she is better known as being “First Lady” for several organizations headed over the years by her husband including and perhaps especially the Jackson State University National Alumni Association, Inc., Mule Train Historical Society, Inc., Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’i Faith, Grove Park Baseball Association, Hinds County Economic Development Authority, Quest Fitness Center Members Association, and on and on it goes.
Serving as First Lady (a la Michelle Obama, Coretta Scott King, or Myrlie Evers), presents a myriad of avenues for rendering service to humanity. That indeed has been the hallmark of Lillian Troupe Lackey. She specializes in seizing opportunities to help people, causes and situations. One striking example is when a local college experienced a water crisis, some fifty-four students showered and had cooked meals in their home over a three-day period. She also has regularly hosted children and junior youth spiritual empowerment programs in her living room on weekends. “Mi casa, su casa” seems to be her motto.
Dr. Lillian Troupe Lackey grew up in the Mississippi Delta where being community-minded was expected. She played the piano and directed her church choir starting at age nine. She sang in the school choir and graduated from Palmer High School in Marks, Mississippi. From there, she became the first in her family tree to attend college when she matriculated at Coahoma Community College. She further raised the bar by graduating with a bachelor’s degree at Alcorn State University and raised it even higher with a master’s degree at Jackson State University. Her relatives have followed in her footsteps, but none have received the doctorate. The bar is being raised again.
She has been married to her childhood sweetheart Dr. Hilliard L. Lackey for going on 60 years. The couple has four adult children who are college graduates and outstanding professionals. They have five grandchildren who are finishing school or in the preliminary stages of launching careers.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Lillian Troupe Lackey on the well-deserved honor of receiving an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters from West Coast Bible College & Seminary.
About West Coast Bible College and Seminary
West Coast Bible College and Seminary was founded with the mission to provide affordable Christian education. The institution offers programs such as the Diploma of General Ministries, Associate of Ministry, Bachelor of Ministry, and the Certification in Family Success. In partnership with Success Training Institute, West Coast also offers students the opportunity to earn soft skills certifications, gain access to virtual internship programs, earn additional funds for college, and more. As a leading provider of soft skills training, West Coast equips its students with valuable skills such as leadership, time management, focus, conflict resolution, and more. To learn more visit, https://westcoastbc.org.
