Barbara J. Lanham

Barbara Jean Lanham, a resident of Sterling Heights, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at the age of 85. A daughter of James and Ethel McNeely, Barbara was born on February 16, 1937 in Ward, West Virginia. She attended high school in her hometown. At 18, Barbara put on her nicest dress and said "I do" to Huston Lanham in a West Virginia courthouse. Shortly thereafter, the young couple moved to Michigan to build a life together. Barbara and Huston were blessed with seven children, all roughly a year apart. Barbara found work as a statistician for Eaton, formerly Lectron Products, in Rochester Hills. She retired after 25 years of service.
Barbara maintained a spotless home. Every spring she would perform a deep clean- even taking a knife to the slotted doors of her closets. Her values were old-fashioned and her personality was kind. Barbara never raised her voice or judged those around her. She appreciated the simple pleasures of getting her hair styled and never smoke or drank. Barbara's children and grandchildren came before all else, and she treasured the holidays she hosted with them well into her 80s. The door to Barbara's home was always open, and as her family grew older, they stayed within a ten-minute drive to visit her. Barbara faced health challenges in her later years, including a life-threatening case of tetanus at 74 and recurring shingles, but despite these complications she never hesitated to help her friends and family. Her kindness endured throughout her life, and those who loved Barbara remember her as a saint. She will be missed dearly.
Beloved wife of Huston. Loving mother of Edward (Lisa), Kathy (David) Grass, the late Richard, Steve (Crystal), Michael, Linda (Stephen) Kneebone, and the late Diane (Bobby) Gill. Cherished grandmother of Jason, Shawn, Brian (Karen) Grass, Nicole (Michael) Basilico, Joshua, Jeremy (Giane) Kneebone, Hannah (William) Fetterhoff, Troy Gill, Zachary Gill, and Dylan Gill. Treasured great-grandmother of Gauge, Vito, Jameson, William, Paige, and Charlotte. Dear sister of twelve.
A visitation for Barbara will be held on Friday, January 27, from 3:00 to 8:00 pm at Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Directors, 8459 Hall Rd., Utica, 48317. Family and friends will gather on Saturday, January 28, from 10:30 am until time of funeral service at 11:00 am at the funeral home.