Thelma Taylor Lanehart
Thelma Taylor Lanehart, 85, passed away in Monroe, La., on Saturday, August 18, 2007, after a lengthy illness. A native of Cross, Texas, she resided with her sister, Nadine Taylor Havard, in Monroe, La., during this illness.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 21 in the chapel of the Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan, with her former pastor, Dwayne Mallett, and great-nephew, Ron Lee II, officiating. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. until service time. Interment will follow in Restever Memorial Park in Bryan.
She lived many years in Bryan and Austin, before retiring to the farm near Cross, Texas, near North Zulch and Iola.
Although none was born to her, she loved children and always taught beginners and primary children in Sunday school at the churches she attended, Central Baptist in Bryan, Rosedale Baptist in Austin and Pleasant Grove Baptist near North Zulch, Texas. She claimed all her nieces and nephews as her own and loved them dearly. Her eyes would light up at the sight of small children and babies.
Most recently, her health has prevented her from doing many of the things she enjoyed such as crocheting, cooking, traveling and oil painting. However, she continued to pursue her art through ceramic painting and she received an award at the 2006 Senior Olympics for her work painting a child’s ceramic horse.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Lanehart, and by her parents, Lee and Willie Akin Taylor.
Survivors include her brother, Doyle Taylor and wife, Celia; three sisters, Marie Taylor Lee, Maurice ‘Polly’ Taylor Walker and husband, Dan, and Nadine Taylor Havard and husband, Robert; brothers-in-law, John Lanehart and wife, Rene, Fred Lanehart and wife, Doris, and Charlie Hall; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be her nephews, Paul Havard, John Lanehart Jr., John Dowling, Greg and Jeff Walker and Tommy Lanehart. All other nephews will be honorary pallbearers.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com or www.callawayjones.com.
To express our deep sympathy to you in your loss.
The American Legion
Earl Graham Post 159
Commander
Aunt Thelma always let me and my cousin Shirley play at her house when she lived on Dellwood. We had so much fun going through her trunk and playing dress up. She always made us feel welcome and special. I lived with her and Uncle William for a short time in Austin and have never forgotten their kindness to me. I haven’t kept in touch with Aunt Thelma, but have always remembered her with joy. I’m glad she’s with Uncle William and our Mama. What a reunion!