Lackey, Mervyn V. 84, of Phoenix, passed away on November 2, 2016 after a brief illness. Mervyn was born on August 27, 1932 in Atoka, Oklahoma, the youngest of six children born to the late Doll Beaty and Sevallia Marquette Lackey. Mervyn grew up and attended school in Ardmore, Oklahoma, graduating from Douglass High School in 1950. After high school, Mervyn attended, and in 1954 graduated from, Langston University, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry and biology. Later, Mervyn attended, and in 1963 graduated from, Arizona State University in Tempe, with a Master of Arts degree in education. Mervyn's career in education began in 1958 at Palmdale Elementary School of the Roosevelt School District in Phoenix, where he taught science and math, shortly after moving to the Valley of the Sun. In 1960, Mervyn became the Principal at 40th Street School. Nine years later, Mervyn was appointed Business Manager of the Roosevelt School District Office. In 1971, Mervyn became Assistant Superintendent of the Roosevelt School District, eventually rising to Superintendent in 1980. Mervyn continued to serve the students, teachers, parents, and community of Roosevelt School District and greater South Phoenix, until his retirement in 1986. In the mid-1990s, Mervyn briefly re-entered the workplace as a consultant with Phoenix Elementary School District #1. After his college graduation, following a 2-year stint in the U.S. Army, Mervyn met and in 1957 later married, the former Ora Mae Thompson. They were married for 46 years before Ora Mae's death in 2003. Left to cherish his memory are two sons, Cary L. Lackey and Christopher L. Lackey of Phoenix; three grandchildren, Krichelle R. White Lackey and Paul M. Lackey of Phoenix, and Aniiya I. Hatchett of Peoria, Arizona; 13 nieces and nephews; a host of other relatives, former co-workers, fellow educators, former students, neighbors, and countless friends. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 750 E. Southern Ave., Phoenix. Viewing at 10 a.m. Final Arrangements entrusted to Universal South Mountain Mortuary.