Eddie Roy Lightsey

Eddie Roy Lightsey September 4, 1931 - February 11, 2017 Eddie Roy Lightsey, Sr., age 85, of St. Augustine passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at his residence on Lightsey Road. Eddie named the road, Lightsey Road, in 1964 when he moved there with his wife Beanie and six children. At that time, he and his family were the only residents in the area. Born in Baxley, Georgia, Eddie moved to St. Augustine when he was 3 years old in the 1930s. Eddie was educated in St. Johns County School System, as well as his sister, Wynette Andreu. Eddie’s first job was working as a courier for Western Union and delivering telegrams on his bicycle. After graduating from high school, he worked various jobs to include: the St. Johns County Mosquito Control and as a dragline operator for St. Johns County Road and Bridge Department in the 1960’s. Eddie dug many pits on State Road 3 near the Amphitheater and off of Woodlawn Road. Eddie then set his sights on a career in law enforcement. He served for a short time with the St. Augustine Police Department as a Motorcycle officer. Sheriff L.O. Davis asked him to become one of his Deputies in 1961. From 1961 though-out his 33 years in service to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Eddie completed numerous college and law enforcement classes working his way up the ranks and retiring as Director of Operations (Colonel) in 1994. He was a longtime member of Calvary Assembly. He is survived by his life-long love and partner of 66 years, Margaret “Beanie” Lightsey, sons, Eddie “Sparkie” Lightsey, Jr., Lester Lightsey, and Glenn Lightsey (Vivian Severt Lightsey), all of St. Augustine; sisters, Glenda Norvell (Charles) of Havana, FL., Maybelline Ferguson (Richard) of Orange City, FL., Melanie Griffin (Durwin) of Baxley, Ga., a brother, John H. Lightsey (Emily) of Baxley, Ga.; a brother in law, Walter Andreu; nephews, Andy Andreu and Terry Andreu; grandchildren, Michael, Wendy, Christie, Belinda, Gary, Stephanie, Eddie III, Jamie, Johnny, Joey, Ben, Dustin, Cheyenne; and many great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Wynette Andreu; a brother, Jacob Lightsey; a daughter, Linda Lightsey Bartosik; and sons, Michael Lightsey and Ferrell Lightsey. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, at Anastasia Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Bouman officiating. A visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. will precede the service. Interment will follow at Craig Memorial Park. Live plants are gratefully accepted, or donations in his memory can be made to the St. Augustine Humane Society, 1665 Old Moultrie Rd, St Augustine, FL 32084. St Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.