Wilma D. Lanier

1932 - 2019

Wilma D. Lanier

Brentwood - Mrs. Wilma Deane Gregory Lanier, age 86, of Franklin, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 7, 2019, at the home of her daughter, Amanda Grace (Blackie) Parrish.

Born on May 11, 1932, in Bowling Green, KY, Wilma was the daughter of Bessie James and Hobert McKinley Gregory. She was raised in Bowling Green and moved to the Nashville area in 1956.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Joseph V. Lanier, her parents, and two brothers and sisters-in-law, Corbett Hollis Gregory (Lillie Ree) and Claudie Clemmons Gregory (Dorothy).

A compassionate and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Wilma is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law: Lisa Anne Syler (Rodney), Dinah Claire Lanier and Amanda Grace (Blackie) Parrish (Ben); seven grandchildren and two grandsons-in-law: Janna Syler Abele (Mike); Britney Syler Anderson (Kyle), Benjamin Grant Syler, Lanier Alan Blackie, McKinley Claire Blackie, Gregory Carr Blackie and Grayson Thomas Blackie; and four great grandchildren: Carleigh Abele, Macie Abele, Kya Anderson and Briana Anderson.

A devoted Christian and long-time member of Brook Hollow Baptist Church, Wilma was active in missions and outreach programs, served on the decorating, design, and pastoral search committees and was a Vacation Bible School teacher. Wilma was a devoted member of her Sunday School class and choir member. She was also active in the community, serving as Trooper the Clown and a volunteer bookkeeper for the Nashville Children's Theatre.

Wilma attended Belmont University and was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 1986. A woman of many interests, Wilma loved music, art, movies, travel and architecture. She was especially proud of the family home on Sneed Road in Williamson County, which she designed. Wilma will be remembered for her welcoming spirit, her genuine love and care for her family, friends, church and nation, her warm and caring spirit and her benevolent nature. She drew near to her all who are in need of care, shelter, protection, guidance or nurture. She was truly a remarkable woman.

The family would like to thank Wilma's caregivers over the past two and a half years for their wonderful care of our mother. These ladies cared for Wilma with compassion, tender care and gentle spirits and helped her transition from rehab to new home and even as she prepared to leave us. Sandra Kay Russ, Emelia Siekpe, Angelica Oosting, Monica Bradley, Gina Henley, Haley Erickson, LaShay Shields and Athena Sizemore (Griswold Home Health). Additionally, we would like to thank Terri Mulloy Dixon (CARIS) for guiding us through these past 4 weeks.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at eleven o'clock at Brook Hollow Baptist Church, 678 Brook Hollow Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37205.

A graveside ceremony will follow the funeral service at Woodlawn Cemetery (660 Thompson Lane 37204). Visitation will be held at Brook Hollow from four o'clock until seven on Friday, January 11, 2019 and Saturday, January 12 from nine thirty until ten thirty before the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Capital Building Improvement Foundation at Brook Hollow Baptist Church, 678 Brook Hollow Road, Nashville, TN 37205.

Visit the online obituary: www.woodlawn-roesch-pattonfh.com