Mavis W Lanier

ROCKY MOUNT – Mavis Whitley Lanier, age 86, passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2017. Born in Wilson County, NC on October 19, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Eddie Thomas Whitley and Bessie Griffin Whitley. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Eric Earl Lanier, Sr.; daughter, Mavis Wanda Lanier Higson; grandson, Chadwick Higson; brothers, Harvey Whitley, Eddie Whitley, David Whitley, Clyde Whitley, Andre Whitley, and Kenneth Whitley; and sisters Esther Wiggins, Virginia Balkeum, Francis Edwards, Margaret Martin, and Ethel McSwan.

Mavis is survived by her sons Eric E. Lanier, Jr. (Melanie), Stephen Keith Lanier (Jennifer), Mitchell Derrick Lanier (Bonnie), and Phillip David Lanier (Thom); 10 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren; her sister, Helen Swindle.

A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 3:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Mavis’ son, Rev. Eric Lanier, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. The family will receive friends and relatives from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank the wonderful, caring staff at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Wilmington for the excellent care and comfort they provided to Mavis.

Flowers are welcome or in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mavis’ name to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401-7335.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.