Winnie McDonald Lanier, 91, of Pavo, died Friday, May 28, 2021 at her residence. Funeral Service will be held 11:00AM Wednesday June 2, 2021 at Lebanon Cemetery with Dr. Jimmy Clanton officiating.
Winnie McDonald Lanier lived a very full and happy life! She was born January 19, 1930 as the 7th child out of 10 to Henry Grady and Hollie Carter McDonald. She graduated Pavo High School in 1947, where she was active in sports and played basketball. On her graduation night, she attended a pack house square dance on Lanier Farm where she met Homer Lanier, Jr. They were introduced by Roscoe Hart through his daughter Willodene Hart Lee.
Winnie would attend and graduate from Valdosta Women's College with her teaching degree. She married Homer Lanier on August 10, 1950, this marriage would last 67 years with him passing into heaven in June of 2017. She taught school in Coolidge and Pavo until her first child Debbie was born in 1953. When Al, became of kindergarten age, she established Happy Hearts Kindergarten at Pavo School. She taught there until the public schools formed Kindergartens across the state including Pavo.
Throughout her life she was very active in many activities and organizations.. She was a member of Pavo Baptist Church for many years where she enjoyed teaching children about Jesus. She taught Little Folks Church for many years, Sunbeams and other youth organizations through the years. When she was in her 80's she would cook for the children in Pavo every Wednesday and Sunday nights. She also shared her famous Oatmeal cookies here as well! Any cookies left over were taken home by the children which pleased her so much! In later life, she Joined Autreyville Baptist Church where she enjoyed attending church with relatives.
She was active in The Pavo Womans Club and in the State Federated Guild. One of her favorite activities in life was playing Bridge every Monday night for 35 years! Many thanks to Mary Lou Lanier, Susan Thompson, and Joan Braswell for driving her to Bridge when she was unable to drive. Mom was an excellent cook and loved to cook! She altered an oatmeal cookie recipe and served it from Texas to Antigua, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida, maybe even more states! Recipes are available here today..
She was looking forward to heaven and we have faith she is walking the streets of Gold, serving oatmeal cookies!! She will be missed!!! She is at peace!
Arrangements have been entrusted to Baker Funeral Home.