John Claude Lanier, Jr.

John Claude Lanier Jr., 86 of Welcome Bethesda Road passed away Wednesday morning, September 9, 2009 at Hinkle Hospice Home. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, September 11, 2009 at Center United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Stephen Pillsbury officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mr. Lanier was born in Davidson County on March 26, 1923 to John Claude Lanier, Sr. and Husie Leigh Hinkle Lanier. Before his retirement Mr. Lanier worked in the furniture business, at one time owning his own company Welco Furniture. He was a member of Center United Methodist Church and a retired volunteer at Welcome Fire Dept. He served in the 462nd US Army Air Corps during World War II. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Joe Lanier and Bobby Reid Lanier and one sister, Louise Hyatt. John is survived by his wife Ruby Beck Lanier of 61 years of the home, one daughter, Claudia Lanier Rapier and husband Greg of Lexington; two brothers, Leonard Lanier of Lexington and Randall Lanier of Hot Springs, NC; one sister, Geraldine Wimmer of Lexington; two granddaughters, Ashley Elizabeth Rapier of Concord, Jennifer Rapier Richardson and husband Shawn of Matthews; a great granddaughter Carson Brooks Richardson. A visitation will be held Thursday, from 6 to 8 PM at Davidson Funeral Home, Hickory Tree Chapel and other times at the home of his daughter, 1030 Welcome Bethesda Road, Lexington. Memorials may be made to Center United Methodist Church, 186 Center Church Rd., Lexington, NC 27295 or Hospice of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292.