Seattle King County NAACP Branch #1136 presents

Carryingthe Legacy

A Tribute to

Dorothy & Lacy Steele

DateThursday, December 3, 2026

Doors5:00 PM

PlaceFirst AME Church, Seattle

--Days

--Hours

--Minutes

--Seconds

Portrait of Dorothy Lou Johnson Steele — Dorothy Steele1934 – 2025

Portrait of Lacy Steele — Lacy Steele1931 – 2025

On December 3, 2026, what would have been Lacy Steele’s 95th birthday, we gather to honor a partnership of 72 years and a legacy that shaped civil rights in Seattle and King County.

Free admission & community dinner · Registration required

The Honorees

Two lives, one mission

Married June 22, 1952, Dorothy and Lacy Steele came to Seattle in 1959 and spent the next six decades building church, community and the NAACP, side by side.

October 1, 1934 – July 24, 2025

Dorothy Lou Johnson Steele

Church mother, community builder, NAACP Golden Heritage Life Member

Born in Moorehead, Mississippi. Joined First AME Church on June 7, 1959.
President of Stewardess Board II for 20 years and Wedding Coordinator for more than 20 years.
Founding member of The Benefit Guild, Inc. (est. 1963), which brought speakers such as Harry Belafonte and Rev. Dr. Wyatt T. Walker, a confidant of Dr. King, to Seattle.
Served for 26 years as Lacy’s unofficial NAACP secretary.
Gave 35 years to Boeing, where she was a Wire Shop “Blue Streak” lead and worked on two Air Force One aircraft.
Gave every graduate an engraved Bible with dollars tucked at her favorite scriptures, and brought Thanksgiving turkeys to families in need.

December 3, 1931 – May 20, 2025

Lacy Steele

Seattle NAACP Branch President, 1972–1998

Born in Detroit. U.S. Army Sergeant in the Korean War.
Recruited by Boeing in 1959. He became the first African American Manager of the Defense & Space Group Quality Organization and retired in 1997 after 38 years.
Joined the NAACP in 1960, led the Branch for 26 years, and served on the NAACP National Board for more than 18 years.
Led the desegregation of Seattle Public Schools without a court battle.
Was instrumental in naming Martin Luther King Jr. Way and, with others, in renaming King County for Dr. King.
Registered thousands of voters, led Somalia relief efforts that raised more than $70,000, and served as an observer at South Africa’s election.

Special Recognition

Carolyn Riley-Payne

A Legacy Continued: Lacy Steele and Carolyn Riley-Payne

For more than 40 years, Carolyn Riley-Payne has led ACT-SO (the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) in Seattle. That work grew from a partnership with Lacy Steele, who championed ACT-SO locally and nationally.

We celebrate a partnership that shaped generations of young scholars and leaders, and we recognize the work Carolyn continues today.

Dorothy and Lacy are survived by their daughter, Marché Deon Steele Heath, and a community that carries their work forward.

Legacy Timeline

Seven decades of service

From a Detroit paper route to the naming of King County.

Dorothy & Lacy

1948

A paper route in Detroit

Dorothy meets Lacy in August 1948. He was her paperboy.

Dorothy & Lacy

1952

Married June 22

They marry at St. Paul AME Church in Detroit, beginning a marriage of 72 years.

Dorothy & Lacy

1959

Seattle becomes home

Boeing recruits Lacy, and on June 7 the couple joins First AME Church.

Lacy

1960

Joins the NAACP

Lacy begins a lifetime of NAACP service that reaches the National Board.

Dorothy

1963

The Benefit Guild, Inc.

Dorothy is a founding member of the organization of Black women that brought national voices to Seattle.

Dorothy & Lacy

1972

Leadership at Branch and church

Lacy becomes Seattle Branch President, a role he holds for 26 years. Rev. Cecil Murray appoints Dorothy President of Stewardess Board II.

Lacy

1986

King County, renamed

On February 24, the King County Council renames the county to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (HistoryLink).

Lacy

1997–98

Retirement and a presidency complete

Lacy retires from Boeing after 38 years and completes his Branch presidency in 1998.

Lacy

2005

Made official in state law

Washington law formally names King County for Dr. King, effective July 24, 2005 (HistoryLink).

Dorothy & Lacy

2025

Called home

Lacy passes on May 20 and Dorothy on July 24, two months apart.

Community

2026

Carrying the Legacy

On December 3, Lacy’s 95th birthday, the Branch gathers to honor them both.

The Evening

Thursday, December 3, 2026

An evening of history, fellowship and tribute. Admission and dinner are free, and registration is required.

5:00to 5:20 PM

Doors Open

Historic display and networking. See archival photographs and memorabilia from the Steeles’ decades of service.

5:20to 6:30 PM

Community Dinner

Fellowship over a shared meal. Dinner is free for registered guests.

6:45PM

Tribute Program

Reflections, music and recognition honoring Dorothy and Lacy Steele, with special recognition of Carolyn Riley-Payne.

Venue

First AME Church

1522 14th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122

This was the Steeles’ church home from 1959.

Get Directions Add to Calendar

Registration

Reserve your seat

Seating and dinner are planned for about 150 guests. Please register each party so we can prepare for everyone.

Free admission · Free community dinner

1Register yourself and up to nine guests.
2Tell us about dietary or accessibility needs so we can plan ahead.
3Check in at the door on December 3 starting at 5:00 PM.

Questions? Contact the Branch at 206-324-6600 or [email protected].

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Phone

Total in your party *

Organization / church

Joining us for dinner?

Yes, dinner & program Program only

Your connection to the Steeles

Dietary needs

Accessibility needs

I’d like to volunteer at the event (setup, greeting, check-in). Send me event updates from the Seattle King County NAACP.

We use your information only to plan this event and contact you about it.

You’re registered

Thank you. We look forward to seeing you Thursday, December 3. Doors open at 5:00 PM at First AME Church, 1522 14th Avenue, Seattle.

Add to Calendar

Tribute Wall

Share a memory

Did Dorothy hand you a Bible at graduation? Did Lacy register you to vote or bring you into ACT-SO? Tell us your story. With your permission, it may be shared on this page or during the program.

Have photos or memorabilia? We are collecting materials for the historic display. Email [email protected].

Honor Their Legacy

Ways to give & serve

Memorial gift

FAME Church Scholarship Fund

Dorothy served on the Scholarship Committee and celebrated every graduate. Gifts made in her memory continue that work.

First AME Church
1522 14th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
Memo: “In memory of Dorothy Steele”

Membership

Join the NAACP

Lacy and Dorothy were both NAACP Golden Heritage Life Members. Carry the legacy forward by joining or renewing your membership with Branch #1136.

Seattle King County NAACP
P.O. Box 22148, Seattle, WA 98122
206-324-6600

Join online (select Branch #1136)

Volunteer

Serve on December 3

Help with setup, greeting, check-in and the historic display. Check the volunteer box when you register, or contact the Branch.

Volunteer when you register

Congratulations

Rev. Charles Reginald Johnson, Sr.

Senior Pastor · Mount Zion Baptist Church

The Seattle King County NAACP congratulates Pastor Johnson on his installation as Senior Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, November 14–15, 2026. We give thanks for Mount Zion’s long partnership in the fight for justice in Seattle.

Media & Downloads