Obituary: Dr. Lacy Haywood Caple
Dr. Lacy H. Caple, Sr. departed this life Wednesday, May 11, 2022. In accordance with his last wishes, he transitioned in the comfort of his beloved home of seventy plus years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen L. Caple; his son, Dr. Phillip M. Caple, Sr.; his brother, Johnny Caple and his parents, Lacy and Ada Caple.
Dr. Lacy H. Caple, Sr. spent the last seventy plus years devoted to his family, his patients and to the community as a whole. He was forever willing and ready to defend the defenseless and advocate for anyone in need of guidance in any situation, particularly with respect to education. Oftentimes working above and beyond the call of duty, he was known for spending many hours a day ensuring that the citizens of Lexington and surrounding cities were afforded equal opportunities in the workforce and in the educational arena. He will forever be remembered for his compassion for others, particularly in his practice of dentistry, his willingness to help in whatever way he could and for his impressive, knowledgeable and dignified demeanor.
His education began at the notable Laurinburg Institute (1942), Laurinburg, NC after which he attended NC A&T State University (1947 B.A. Degree). After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, his career began with Meharry Medical College of Nashville, Tennessee, obtaining his D.D.S. in 1951. His religious, social and professional affiliations are indicative of his astute activism. For seventy years he was a member of St. Stephen United Methodist Church, Lexington, NC where he served on the Board of Trustees, was a Sunday school teacher and speaker. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternities; His professional affiliations included membership in the NC Pharmacy, Medical, Dental Society; Member of NC Dental Society; Member and Trustee of Lexington Memorial Hospital and Member of the Lexington Recreational Board of Trustees; Member of Lexington Kiwanis (45 years); Member of Banks Miller Post 225, Lexington, NC; Board of Directors Davidson County Community Action Inc.; inducted into the NC Community Action Hall of Fame; Member of Board of Directors for UMC Retirement Home (9 years) and Past President of Winston-Salem Improvement Corporation. His educational affiliations included: Member and Chairman of the Lexington Board of Education, (First African American Chairman in the State of NC); NC A & T State University member and Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Associate Professor, Howard University School of Dentistry, Washington, DC (5 years).
Dr. Lacy H. Caple, Sr. has left a legacy of love for mankind, having broken the racial barrier by refusing to turn his back on anyone because of race. His respect and appreciation for his fellowman, no matter the color of their skin, superseded the racial barriers prevalent during his initial years as the only Black Dentist in Lexington. His courage and tenacity helped pave the way for better race relations within his community.
Dr. Lacy H. Caple, Sr. leaves behind his son, Lacy H. Caple, Jr. (“Butch”) and daughter, Cheryl Renee Caple; his brother, Frederick Caple (Frances); sister-in-law, Portress Caple; daughter-in-law, Deborah Haith Caple; grandchildren, Phillip M. Caple, Jr. (Rose), Alondra Nicole Caple, Damon J. Caple (Tracey) and Cassandra D. Henderson; great grandchildren, Nautica Alexis Caple-Worthy, Bryanna Skyy Roby and Nyla Sophia Caple, Demitrious Henderson and Queen Henderson; embraced as great grandchildren: Memphis Armani Williams, Kennedy, Kaylie, Kai and Kaleb; embraced as a daughter and granddaughter, Joanna Gene Edwards and Brie Payton Dimery-James; embraced as sons, David S. Norman and Attorney Joel G. Bowden; dear friends, Rita Dimery-Edwards and Linda A. Jones; a very close, special friend, Betty Saunders, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
