WILMINGTON — On Monday, March 4, 2019, Maebell Wilson Lanier, 92, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Maebell was born May 16, 1926, in Verona to George Parley Wilson and Sina Jane Brown Wilson, who preceded her in death.
Left to cherish her memory are two sons, Neil Lanier (Kathy) and Dean Lanier (Susan) of Burgaw; daughter, Kay Rochelle (Ed); daughter-in-law, Christine Lanier of Wilmington; grandchildren, Rodney Lanier (Glynis), Lisa Harts, Tara Bagwell (Brad), Jamie Rochelle, Christy Coughlin, Michael Lanier (Leigh) and Benjamin Lanier; 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
It was only 11 months ago that Maebell’s husband of 72 years, Admah Lanier Jr., went to be with the Lord. She was also preceded in death by her son, W.C. Lanier; sister, Adell Wilson Parker; and brother, George Franklin Wilson.
She married into the Lanier family May 16, 1945. Since Admah was the oldest of eight children, Maebell has many brothers-in law and sisters-in-law who loved her dearly. As one of the brothers said, “She took care of us all.”
For a few years, Maebell worked outside the home at Garver Shirt Factory. As a homemaker, Maebell cooked for family, friends, the farm hands, and any others who showed up, picking many of the vegetables from her own garden. She always had flowers, which she freely shared, growing in her yard. A sign that once hung in her kitchen said it all, “There’s no place like home except Maebell’s.”
Over the years, Maebell was always involved in her church and community. But mostly, in her quiet and unassuming way, she reached out to people with cards, flowers, phone calls, visits, food and prayers. Admah once said, “She has been the mother to many, of all ages.”
The family wishes to thank the staff of Davis Community for the compassionate care given to Maebell over the last six years.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m., followed by a celebration of life service at 11 a.m., Friday, March 8, at Scotts Hill Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Scotts Hill Baptist Church, 185 Scotts Hill Loop Road, Wilmington, NC 28411; or The Davis Community, Artisan House, 1011 Porters Neck Road, Wilmington, NC 28411.
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
