Former commissioner Charles W. Lanier Sr., 76, died Jan. 12

Charles Watson Lanier Sr., 76, a former chairman of the Jenkins County Commissioners, died at his residence Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008.

Mr. Lanier served on the Jenkins County Board of Commissioners

1979-1982, and as chairman of the group in 1980. He was a past member of the Millen Jaycees, Millen Lions Club and Millen Rotary Club. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the CSRA Development Authority, the Jenkins County Hospital Authority, Jenkins County Library Board and the ASCS. He was a member of the Jenkins County Development Authority.

Mr. Lanier was a lifelong resident of Jenkins County, born July 9, 1931. He graduated from Millen High School in 1949. He was a retired farmer and in road construction, and he was a member of the Millen Baptist Church.

His funeral was 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, at Elam Baptist Church with the Rev. Kevin Farmer and Dr. Maurice Crowder officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Mr. Lanier was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hardy Math Lanier; and two brothers, Marvin Lanier and Ernest Lanier.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Joyce Sapp Lanier; two sons and daughters-in-law, Ernest (Ginger) Lanier and Charlie (Sandy) Lanier; a daughter and son-in-law, Diane L. (Phil) Workman, all of Millen; seven grandchildren, Jackson Lanier, Tyler McMillan, Evan L. Chance, Brooke Lanier, Jennifer W. Burch, Michael Wilson and Brianna Workman; five great-grandchildren; and a niece and nephew, Sandra Lanier Dempsey and Dennis Lanier.

Active pallbearers were Clarence Paul (Skeebo) Moore, Michael Wilson, Dennis Lanier, Charlie Dempsey, H. C. Smith and George Dudley.

Honorary pallbearers were Paul Moore (Jean Deal,) Reggie (JoAnn) Beasley, Wint Johnson, Freddie (Elise) Deal, Al (Ruth) Coursey, Al (Tunie) Parrish, Bobby (Travelene) Jones, Ollie (Jackie) Moore, Earl Burke, W. R. (Mary) Roberts, Edward Wilson, Ed Fuller, Howdy McTeer, Nick (Martha) Johnson, Jack (Mary) Burke and Judge Faye S. Martin.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 515 Denmark St., Suite 500, Statesboro, GA 30458 or East Georgia Regional Dialysis, 450 Georgia Ave., Statesboro, GA 30458.