Mrs. Mary Helen Patterson Lanier

Mary Helen Patterson Lanier    March 11, 1925 -April 28, 2015

Daughter of the late  Viola Deaton Patterson and Henry Dewey (Pat) Patterson born in Hope Mills on March 11, 1925. She finished her race and now rests from her labor.  She was proceeded in death by her parents and a brother Terrence Patterson and her husband Roy Lanier Jr.

She is survived by  two Sons,  Rev. Sidney Lanier and his wife Patty, of Rural Hall, NC. and Henry Patterson (Pat) Lanier and his wife Sharon of Charlotte, NC. she is survived by two grandchildren,  Allison Lanier Peschell and her husband Alex of Jamestown, NC.  and  Major Andrew Lanier and his wife Kristen of Fort Campbell, Ky.  One step grandchild Kelli Rae Dunn and three great grandchildren.  

She  graduated from High School and attended East Carolina Teachers College now called East Carolina University.  She began a teaching career at Wallace Elementary School during WW II on an emergency certificate. It was during this time she met and  married Roy Lanier Jr. of Wallace, NC. after he returned from serving in the US. Navy during WW II.

Helen later directed the Playschool Program for the Fayetteville Recreation Department. She worked for the Fayetteville City Schools  and the Cumberland County Schools as a teacher assistant for many years. She also helped her husband at Lanier Drug Company. She served as a Den Mother in the Cub Scout program when the boys were growing up. She loved her church  and her community.  Helen had a special place in her heart for children and loved working with little ones.

She joined Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in 1955 where she is still a member.  She was  an active member of her Sunday School Class, taught Sunday School and was part of the Baptist Women's  program until her health declined and she moved to Charlotte, NC.

A visitation will be held at Sullivan Highland Funeral Service at 610 Ramsey St. on Thursday April 30, 2015 from 6:00-8:00 pm.  

Graveside services will be conducted at Lafayette Memorial Park on Friday, May 1, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Sandy Saunders, officiating.

Memorials may be made to Snyder Memorial Baptist Church C/O Library Fund 701 Westmont Drive, Fayetteville, NC, 28305 or to a charity of ones choice.    

The family wants to thank the nurses and staff at Carrington Place in Matthews, NC and the staff at the  Aldersgate United Methodist Home in Charlotte, NC.  

Online Condolences may be sent to www.sullivanshiland.com.

Services are entrusted to Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service and Crematory, of Fayetteville, NC.