Lenell "Tater" Abre' Bacy

Lenell Abre’ Bacy was born April 22, 2004 in Oklahoma City to Crystal Lynne Bacy and Reginald Johnson, Jr. After the untimely death of his mother, Lenell was lovingly cared for by his grandmother and grandfather. He attended Telstar and Britton elementary schools in Oklahoma City. After a recent move to Paden, OK, he was continuing his education at Okemah Junior High School until an injury made it necessary for him to be home-schooled. Lenell was passionate about learning. He was an “A” student and received numerous honors and awards in recognition of his academic achievements. He particularly enjoyed reading and had recently expressed an interest in art, sketching, and architecture. Lenell also enjoyed participating in sports activities and always comported himself with sportsmanlike conduct. He was especially fond of football and basketball and was an avid OKC Thunder fan. Spending time playing games with his best friends and family was one of Lenell’s favorite past-times. He believed in fairness and didn’t hesitate to remind others when they weren’t playing by the rules or were being disrespectful but was always generous with love and support and ready to offer praise to others. He strove to be exemplary in his behavior and to conduct himself with integrity. Lenell loved dogs as if they were human. He had a close bond with them and always wanted them around. They were his constant companions and he rewarded their loyalty with his genuine love and affection. Lenell committed his life to Christ and was baptized at St. John C.M.E. by Rev. Anthony Walker. He faithfully attended Sunday school and was a member of the youth choir. He later united with Full Gospel Non-denominational Church under the pastorate of Rev. Cleophous Jones after the family moved to Paden. In his short time on earth, Lenell inspired us with his quiet contemplative dignity, his exceptionalism, his fierce love for others, his ability to see the beauty of the creation, his love for God, his childlike wonder and amazement at new discoveries, his keen intellect, and his capacity for forgiveness. Lenell passed away on November 12, 2017 due to complications following a spinal cord injury. He was preceded in death by his mother, Crystal Lynne Bacy and is survived by his father and step-mother, Reginald and Mildred Johnson; Grandparents/Guardians Ella Reynolds Powell and Jerrell and Marlene Bacy; Great-Grandmother Eletta Bacy; Aunts and Uncles Kanita Bacy, Jermell Bacy, Chase Nash, and JaNean Nash; Cousins Armani, Ariah, Carrington, Crystal, Caliyah, Brianna, Marcus, Nathan, Mikayla, Honestee, Ursula, and Dedrike; and a host of other relatives and friends.

To an Athlete Dying Young

“…Smart lad, to slip betimes away

From fields where glory does not stay,

And early though the laurel grows

It withers quicker than the rose...”

A.E. Housman