Winnie "Marie" Lanham

Marie Lanham, age 85, was called home on May 18, 2024, in Madison County, Texas.

Marie (as she preferred to be called) is survived by daughter, Dee Barnes, and husband, Aaron and grandson, Lawson of Normangee, TX; son, Bob Lanham and wife, Pam of Katy, TX; granddaughter, Jenny Greenlief and husband, Kiefer of Houston, TX; and sister Linda Shrimpton Connor and husband, Glenn of Normangee, TX.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Chappell” Lanham; brother, James Clyde Lawson, Sr.; and parents, Ellehue Rucker Lawson and Vera Ruth Lindsey.

Marie was born on April 12, 1939, in Madison County, TX to Ellehue and Vera Lawson. She graduated from Madisonville High School in May of 1957. During her Senior year of high school, she married the love of her life over Christmas Break on December 24, 1956. She moved to Houston with Chappell after graduation to begin their life together. She spent her time raising her children and keeping the family home. She was the consummate PTA Mom, Cub Scout Den Mother, Little League Baseball supporter, and Sunday School Teacher. Marie was an avid seamstress and made all her daughter’s clothes, and sewed outfits for her Barbie dolls. Later, she made dresses for herself, then fashioned western shirts from the same cloth for Chappell so they could match. This creative talent was shaped when as a teenager, she designed elaborate ball gowns for her paper dolls. She spent years as the neighborhood Avon representative and enjoyed creating her assortment of collectibles. Marie was a warrior. She beat breast cancer and a muscular disorder 50 years ago and went on to battle diabetes for almost 30 years.

Marie loved to bake, and Thanksgiving was her favorite time of the year because she and Chappell worked together to prepare the holiday meal. She enjoyed spending the holiday with her sister, brother, nieces, nephews, and their extended families. Sadly, Chappell passed on April 4, 2001, after forty-four years of marriage. Following his death, she was never the same, struggling to determine who she was without Chappell. During her time of grief, she spent a lot of time helping her great-niece with homework, coloring, and watching cartoons. When her grandson, Lawson, arrived in May of 2006, she kept him until he was 9 years old, ferrying him back and forth to school. She was his caretaker, his nanny, his best friend, and playmate. Being needed filled the huge emptiness she felt. Lawson became her whole world, and she attended every school function and program and was known and loved by all the moms and teachers. Marie never remarried and chose to focus on church and family. She was a faithful churchgoer until COVID, and health issues plagued her, and in recent years a member at Cavitt Church of Christ in Bryan, TX.

She loved shopping and eating out, and enjoyed those special family moments around holidays, birthdays, and family reunions. In recent years, she especially loved the quiet get-togethers with close family.

A funeral service honoring Marie's life will be held 12 Noon, Monday, May 27, 2024 at Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas. Marie will be laid to rest in Plainview Cemetery following the service. A brief visitation time will take place Monday from 11 A.M. to service time at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory to Dementia Society of America or American Diabetes Association.

Arrangements are under the direction of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.