Leonard Aaron Lanier

Leonard Aaron Lanier age 86 passed away early Sunday morning, November 18, 2012 at Wake Forest Baptist Health – Lexington Medical Center after three years of declining health. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 12:00 PM at Center United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Stephen Pillsbury and Randall Lanier, Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery, with military honors by Davidson County Honor Guard and firefighter honors by the Welcome Fire Department. A visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:40 at Center United Methodist Church prior to the service. Mr. Lanier was born October 31, 1926 in Davidson County to John Claud Lanier, Sr. and Husie Hinkle Lanier. He was educated in Davidson County, served proudly in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946 during WWII on the USS LIOBA; was a charter member of the Welcome Lions Club; a retired charter member of the Welcome Fire Dept. and a member of Center United Methodist Church. He was self-employed in construction, retiring in 1982. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, John Claud Lanier, Jr., Joe Herman Lanier and Bobby Reid Lanier; two sisters, Geraldine Wimmer and Louise Hyatt. Surviving are his wife, of 64 years, Pat Beck Lanier (married June 15, 1948); one daughter, Gayle L Nifong and husband Klynt; two grandsons, Kyle Nifong and wife Marsha, Kent Nifong and wife Heidi; and his proudest accomplishment of all, his three great-grandchildren, Hallie, Owen and Nathan Nifong; one brother, Ernest Randal Lanier, Sr. of Hot Springs, NC; sister- in-laws and brother-in-laws Nancy Lanier, Bob Wimmer; Roy and Nancy West. Memorials may be made to Center United Methodist Church, Christian Fellowship Building Fund, P. O. Box 179, Welcome, NC 27374. Davidson Funeral Home, Hickory Tree Chapel is assisting the family.