Dean Lanier, age 86, of Voss, died Friday, May 14, 2021, at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene with her family by her side.
The family will host a visitation at 10:00 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at the Elm Street Church of Christ, 216 W. Elm Street, in Coleman. Lonnie Hamil, minister of Spring Creek Ministry, will officiate and Bob Martin, minister of Elm Street Church of Christ, will assist.
A graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Evergreen Cemetery in Ranger. Services are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home in Coleman.
She was born Virgie Dean Halliday on August 11, 1934 in Eldorado, Oklahoma to Tom Ed Halliday and Virginia Rosenbam Halliday. Growing up, her father worked on the railroad taking them to Sweetwater, Roscoe, Allamoore, Pyote, and Bartstow. Dean graduated Salutatorian from Barstow High School in 1952. She graduated from TCU with a bachelor’s degree in Education. Dean married O.G. Lanier on June 23, 1957 in Ranger. They have cherished 63 wonderful years together. With this union, two sons were born, Jon and Joel. Dean and O.G. settled in Midland where Dean taught at Alamo Jr. High School for 29 years. She taught eighth grade and was also the girl’s athletic coach. Dean coached basketball, softball, volleyball, and tennis. After retirement, Dean and O.G. moved to Coleman County where they lived in the Voss community. She was a member of the Elm Street Church of Christ where she taught Bible class. Dean was an active tennis player for most of her life. She enjoyed the competition and comradery of her tennis mates. Dean was a member of the Texas Cattle Women’s Association, Texas Retired Teacher’s Association, and the Coleman Retired Teacher’s Association. Her most cherished title was being a loving wife and excellent homemaker. Dean loved to take care of her family and loved them immensely. Her husband, O.G., was her biggest fan. She leaves behind an amazing legacy filled with love and wonderful memories that her family will always remember.
Preceding Dean in death are her parents, Tom Ed Halliday and Virginia Halliday, and one brother, Ted Halliday.
She is survived by her husband, O.G. Lanier of Voss; two sons, Jon Lanier of Midland and Joel Lanier and wife Kem of Seminole; her grandchildren, Cody Lanier and wife Amanda of Cameron and Rusty Lanier of Lubbock; and two sisters, Patsy Greer of Ranger and Edna Good of Idaho.
Memorials are suggested in memory of Dean to the Spring Creek Ministries, 301 E. 6th. Street, Odessa, Texas 79761, The Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation at www.arthritis.org, or to the Midland Christian School, 2001 Culver Drive, Midland, Texas 79705.
Remembrances, condolences, and messages of comfort can be expressed to the family at www.stevensfuneralhome.com. Stevens Funeral Home is honored to serve the Lanier family.