Elizabeth Lanning Kelley

Elizabeth Lanning Kelley July 17, 1927 March 23, 2013 Elizabeth Lanning Kelley, sister, aunt, friend, church leader and teacher, died at her home on Saturday, March 23, 2013. She was 85 years old. A private interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 28, in the Fellowship Hall at Columbus Ave. Baptist Church with the Rev. Ron Durham officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 27, at the Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home Garden Room. Ms. Kelley was born on July 17, 1927 in Waco, Texas, the daughter of Ethel Spencer Lanning and Wilton A. Lanning, Sr. She attended Sanger Ave. Elementary school and graduated from Waco High School. She graduated from Baylor University with a BA degree in elementary education. She taught first grade for many years beginning with Riesel ISD, Waco ISD, including Sanger Ave. elementary under Miss Nina B. Glass and retired from her teaching career at Speegleville Elementary School. She also worked for several years at Tom Padgitt Co. Elizabeth was an active member in Altrusa International for many years. She was named member Emeritus. She also served on the Board and was the Newsletter Editor for Hamilton House for many years. Elizabeth was honored by Columbus Ave. Baptist Church for 45 years of faithful service to the First Grade Sunday School Department in 2003. Elizabeth was proud to have been honored along with other members of her family with the "First Families of Baylor" award at Baylor University in 1982. She was a faithful member of the "Sanctuary Class" in Sunday school at Columbus Ave. She loved her many students that she taught in first grade as well as in Sunday school throughout the years. She is survived by her brother, Wilton A. Lanning, Jr. and his wife, Lee; her two nephews, Bill Lanning and his wife, Jessica, and Robert Lanning and his wife, Beth; and great niece, Catlin and great nephew, Austin. Being a member of a large family she is also survived by many loving cousins. The family wishes to thank her special friend and care giver, Ann Johnson, for the wonderful care and friendship she provided. Memorials may be made to the Children's Department at Columbus Ave. Baptist Church, Baylor University Endowed Scholarships or Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center Cancer Center. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.