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Mary Elizabeth Lanier
1958-2018
Mary Elizabeth Lanier, 60, of Houston, Texas passed gently into eternal rest Sunday, August 12, 2018 following a valiant 4 year battle with breast cancer.
Ms Lanier was born July 27, 1958, the 3rd of 5 children and eldest daughter, to former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier and his wife Liz Lanier, both of whom have preceded her in death. She reluctantly leaves behind her beloved son, Jonathan Brent Campbell Jr.; her loving sister Holly Lanier; and her fiercely protective brothers Clay Lanier, wife Donna, their sons Clayton and Carlton Lanier, brother Gus Lanier and his children Judi, Jessie and Mitchell Lanier, and brother Fred Lanier.
To honor Elizabeth's life and legacy, her family has planned a Celebration of Life to be held at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., Houston, Texas 77019 on Friday, August 17, 2018 at 1:00pm, with a reception immediately following the celebration service at St. John's. Internment is being held at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079 for family and close friends after the reception.
Please visit Elizabeth's tribute page at www.katyfuneralhome.com to read more about her life, and to share memories and stories, or express condolences.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Katy Funeral Home.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Brent. Elizabeth and I were neighbors in Greatwood. I always looked forward to our visits! We watched our kids grow up together and regrettably she and Brent moved off. We touched base on the phone and our visits were not as frequent. I just found out this news and still doesn't feel real! I wish I could have been there for her! My love to you Brent! You know she will be watching over you! God Bless
Jill Quaratino
November 17, 2018
I am so sorry to have just learned of Libby's passing. We were good friends in high school but lost touch over the years. Rest In Peace my friend and prayers for Brent and the entire family as they suffer through their loss.
Katherine Kirby Bravo
November 8, 2018
Childhood friendships are treasures especially those that come full circle. Libby and I became friends in elementary school, and we weren't much for sitting around. We liked adventure, a little mischievousness, and lots of outdoor fun riding bikes, roller skating, swimming. My earliest friendship memory was that excellent swing in the front yard of her house on Brentwood. Later we took trampoline lessons together private lessons, just the two of us. Libby could nail swingtime backflips (one right after the other with no bounce in between). Our Dads had known each other since law school, so there were many tennis matches Libby and her Dad against me and mine. Funny, though as I think back on it, I have no memory of who usually won. I'm glad I don't since that wasn't what it was all about anyway.
One Saturday, Libby was going with me to spend the weekend at some property my parents had in the country when we ran into an impressive thunderstorm on the way. Lightning hit our car's antennae and there was a tremendous boom. Besides burning the aerial down to the hood and knocking out the radio, there was no harm. It shook us up a bit, but it was so funny to see people passing us on the road right afterward, all looking over to see if the car still had anybody in it. Even better, Libby and I thoroughly enjoyed exaggerating the story to all our friends later about the time we were hit by lightning.
The summer after our freshman year in high school, we signed up for a bicycling trip through Europe that was being organized by our history teacher. We were the only girls on the roster. My Mom wasn't too keen on the idea, knowing Libby's and my knack for getting ourselves into trouble, so she convinced my sister, Allison, six years older, to go along as our chaperone. Ha! Libby and I spent a fair amount of time trying to evade Ally's oversight, but if truth be told, we became a great threesome. It was during this trip, on a long downhill stretch, that Libby and a chicken met in a spectacular collision. We were flying along, but the chicken didn't move out of the way fast enough. Libby hit the road hard and was all scraped up. This occurred right in front of a tiny farmhouse. The door opened and both the farmer and his wife came running out, waving their arms and hollering.something. Our German was limited, but the message seemed to be that we would soon meet the same fate as the chicken, who had expired after a flop or two in the road. But we were totally wrong. Although it looked to us that Libby had nailed their *only* chicken, their *only* concern was Libby and trying to tend to her wounds. They took her inside and patched her up as well as they could and then the most amazing thing happened. The woman opened a cabinet in her small kitchen, reached up to the highest shelf and carefully brought down a jar. She opened it, took out a cookie, and gave it to Libby. It was clear that these cookies were rare treats and only for the most special occasions. Libby and the Wild Chicken Wipe Out qualified. Libby was pretty banged up, but that didn't stop her. We rode from Zurich to Amsterdam that summer, a distance of some 800 miles. What a trip!
During high school, Libby and I plus two other friends, Carol and Alice, got together often to play *bridge* on all-night marathons at the homes of one of the 4 of us. Bridge, ha! Nobody played bridge in our age group. We were awful at it, but we sure had fun. Not too long ago, Libby and I talked about taking bridge lessons together -- Libby, Brent, my husband, and I but that didn't happen. I guess we felt like there would always be time to get to that.
I'm sorry to say that Libby and I lost touch after high school and didn't reconnect for some 35 years. But I tracked her down on Facebook, and it made me very happy to find my friend again and spend time in person catching up. In many ways, though, it was like we hadn't been apart at all. A highlight for me of course was meeting Brent! During one lunch, he amazed me with his astounding card tricks. I hope he will keep that up. He is good!
Libby's memorial service was so special. Hearing the Houston Boy's Choir sing was an incredible gift, and Clay and Pam's remarks were memorable celebrations of Libby's life. That had to be pretty hard for both of them to do, but the effort was so worth it. A great blessing to all in attendance.
I will always be grateful that our friendship indeed came full circle I just wish it could have widened to encompass more time. Friends like Libby don't come along often her essential kindness, sense of adventure, her incredible love for Brent, her profound faith and I will miss her always. May God bring peace and all good memories to Brent, Clay, Fred, Holly, Gus, Pam and everyone in her family. Libby was the real deal. Rest in God's arms, my friend, and I'll see you again down the road.
Sara Morse Bettecourt
August 29, 2018
Offering deepest heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your loved one. May your cherished memories shine through your sorrow. John 11: 33-44
August 19, 2018
Sending my love and prayers to all the Lanier family. Libby was, indeed, sent Home too soon just like her Mom. You brought love and joy into many peoples lives, Libby. Heidi Heard
Heidi Heard
August 16, 2018
My parents, Sidney and Melva Lanier, along with the rest of the family, were deeply saddened to learn of Libby's passing. My sister Nancy, late brother Tom, and myself knew Mary as Libby when your parents first visited us with the girls in East Texas. We have many happy memories of shared meals in your home on Brentwood when we moved to Houston in 1964. My dad dearly loved his cousin Bob, and your Mom and Dad were always gracious and fun to be around!
We are keeping you in prayer, and wish for you to be surrounded by the love of family, friends and our Lord.
Linda Lanier Ansell
Linda Ansell
August 16, 2018
The Berry family, JoAnn, Jim, Janet and I, all send our love to you, Clay, Fred, Holly, and Gus. Libby was a kind, beautiful woman, inside and out, and will be missed greatly. We all loved those Brentwood days with her and with you (and I still laugh about moments on the Kinkaid bus!).
She leaves us way too soon.
Alice Berry
August 16, 2018
I am shocked and saddened to hear this. My heart and prayers go out to my old lifelong friends Clay, Holley, Gus and the entire Lanier family.
christopher criner
August 16, 2018
My condolences to the Family. Healing is on the way and your togetherness is the best.
Vera Vladi
August 15, 2018
My sincerest condolences to Libby's family and Gus, Holly, Freddy and Clay.
Gone too soon, just like her mom.
H Jay Rockaway
August 15, 2018
Libby was taken way to early... Rest In Peace and May God watch over your son...
Joe Huston
August 14, 2018
a loved one
August 14, 2018
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