In Memory Of
Lanair Williams
1923
2015
Lanair Williams
April 26, 1923 — June 4, 2015
Lanair G. Williams passed away peacefully on June 4, 2015 in Northglenn, Colorado.
Grace Lanair Grizzard was born at home on a farm near Mineral Wells, Texas, on April 26, 1923. Lanair was a healthy baby for the first few months and even had her picture printed in Physical Culture magazine at age 6 months. A short while later she became allergic to mother's milk and developed severe eczema and asthma. Her mother doubted that she would live until her first birthday. To keep her hands and mind busy through her extended illnesses, her mother taught her to embroider, crochet and sew by the age of 5.
When she was 4 years old, her family moved into town where they faithfully attended First Methodist Church. Lanair could not remember a time when she did not have faith and an awareness of God as a profound influence in her life. Her sister Mildred was born in 1929 after the family moved to Abilene. Although they struggled financially throughout the Depression, as did so many millions of other families, Lanair's mother would always give hobos who came to their back door something to eat in exchange for doing a small chore. She also baked cookies and cupcakes for the sisters to sell. They had a small garden, and her mother took in laundry and ironing as well as selling Jewel Tea grocery products door-to-door. Her father hoed weeds for $1 a day for anyone who could afford to pay. The sisters made their own playing cards from cardboard and cut paper dolls and clothes from Sears catalogs.
By 1937, the family had managed to buy a one-story cottage on McKinney Avenue in Dallas. At some point, they added a second floor and converted it to a duplex so that they could rent out one half. Lanair lived there until she married.
She began voice lessons at age 14 and sang in church choirs for as many years as she was able. She had a beautiful soprano voice and sang many solos and duets.
She favored the study of English and journalism at North Dallas High School and edited the yearbook in her senior year. After graduation, she was one of three girls in Texas chosen to attend a month-long Journalism Institute at Northwestern University.
Lanair entered Southern Methodist University in Dallas in the fall of 1939 (at only 16 years of age). There she became close friends with Adaline Ralston from Savannah, Georgia, and for the rest of her life grieved Adaline's death at age 33 of a cerebral hemorrhage. Lanair continued her journalism endeavors and also helped found the Independent Students Association for non-Greek students. One year she even persuaded the university president, Dr. Umphrey Lee, to have an ISA reception in his home.
Lanair met James Polk Williams, Jr. ("Jimmy") in a summer religion class at SMU. They married on November 23, 1943, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dallas. On their first wedding anniversary, Jimmy set sail on a Navy destroyer for service in the Pacific during World War II. Lanair learned to knit during this time to help keep her mind off of the war. Her handwork skills gave her untold hours of enjoyment and creativity as the scores of recipients of her beautiful handmade sweaters, vests and afghans can attest.
Between 1945 and 1948, the couple was blessed with three children: Jim (Ann-Margret), Paul, and Laura (Guy Harris). The family vacationed in Colorado over many years, leading Lanair and Jimmy to retire in Colorado Springs in 1991, later moving to the Denver area. Over the years, they traveled thousands of miles, camping in their travel trailer, visiting friends and family, making new friends, and exploring much of the U.S.
The family joined Churchill Way Presbyterian Church in Dallas as founding members in 1956. Through friends in a prayer group, Lanair experienced a dramatic transformation from faith in a God of judgment to faith in a God of grace. She became a person of great joy and inner peace.
Lanair was a gifted writer and self-published four books of religious poetry which gave comfort and encouragement to many people. She was sustained through every challenge in life, including breast cancer, by her strong Christian faith and the loving support of family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years and sister (Mildred Eaves), both in 2011. In addition to her three children, she is survived by two nieces and four nephews, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
"Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master." (Matthew 25:21)
To share a memory of Lanair or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
Grace Lanair Grizzard was born at home on a farm near Mineral Wells, Texas, on April 26, 1923. Lanair was a healthy baby for the first few months and even had her picture printed in Physical Culture magazine at age 6 months. A short while later she became allergic to mother's milk and developed severe eczema and asthma. Her mother doubted that she would live until her first birthday. To keep her hands and mind busy through her extended illnesses, her mother taught her to embroider, crochet and sew by the age of 5.
When she was 4 years old, her family moved into town where they faithfully attended First Methodist Church. Lanair could not remember a time when she did not have faith and an awareness of God as a profound influence in her life. Her sister Mildred was born in 1929 after the family moved to Abilene. Although they struggled financially throughout the Depression, as did so many millions of other families, Lanair's mother would always give hobos who came to their back door something to eat in exchange for doing a small chore. She also baked cookies and cupcakes for the sisters to sell. They had a small garden, and her mother took in laundry and ironing as well as selling Jewel Tea grocery products door-to-door. Her father hoed weeds for $1 a day for anyone who could afford to pay. The sisters made their own playing cards from cardboard and cut paper dolls and clothes from Sears catalogs.
By 1937, the family had managed to buy a one-story cottage on McKinney Avenue in Dallas. At some point, they added a second floor and converted it to a duplex so that they could rent out one half. Lanair lived there until she married.
She began voice lessons at age 14 and sang in church choirs for as many years as she was able. She had a beautiful soprano voice and sang many solos and duets.
She favored the study of English and journalism at North Dallas High School and edited the yearbook in her senior year. After graduation, she was one of three girls in Texas chosen to attend a month-long Journalism Institute at Northwestern University.
Lanair entered Southern Methodist University in Dallas in the fall of 1939 (at only 16 years of age). There she became close friends with Adaline Ralston from Savannah, Georgia, and for the rest of her life grieved Adaline's death at age 33 of a cerebral hemorrhage. Lanair continued her journalism endeavors and also helped found the Independent Students Association for non-Greek students. One year she even persuaded the university president, Dr. Umphrey Lee, to have an ISA reception in his home.
Lanair met James Polk Williams, Jr. ("Jimmy") in a summer religion class at SMU. They married on November 23, 1943, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dallas. On their first wedding anniversary, Jimmy set sail on a Navy destroyer for service in the Pacific during World War II. Lanair learned to knit during this time to help keep her mind off of the war. Her handwork skills gave her untold hours of enjoyment and creativity as the scores of recipients of her beautiful handmade sweaters, vests and afghans can attest.
Between 1945 and 1948, the couple was blessed with three children: Jim (Ann-Margret), Paul, and Laura (Guy Harris). The family vacationed in Colorado over many years, leading Lanair and Jimmy to retire in Colorado Springs in 1991, later moving to the Denver area. Over the years, they traveled thousands of miles, camping in their travel trailer, visiting friends and family, making new friends, and exploring much of the U.S.
The family joined Churchill Way Presbyterian Church in Dallas as founding members in 1956. Through friends in a prayer group, Lanair experienced a dramatic transformation from faith in a God of judgment to faith in a God of grace. She became a person of great joy and inner peace.
Lanair was a gifted writer and self-published four books of religious poetry which gave comfort and encouragement to many people. She was sustained through every challenge in life, including breast cancer, by her strong Christian faith and the loving support of family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years and sister (Mildred Eaves), both in 2011. In addition to her three children, she is survived by two nieces and four nephews, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
"Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master." (Matthew 25:21)
To share a memory of Lanair or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lanair Williams, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors