Shirley Lanham

Shirley Stratton Hunt Lanham lost her battle with leukemia and lymphoma on May 24, 2017. A family graveside service will be 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 27, at Oakwood Cemetery, with a memorial service to follow 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church. Pastors Wayne Williams and Richard Roland will preside. A reception at the church will follow the service. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, May 26, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Throughout her life, Shirley was known for her grace, a personal characteristic that shone especially brightly during her long fight with cancer. Her positive and upbeat approach in dealing with life's challenges were an inspiration to all those who knew her, especially her children and grandchildren, who she taught by example how to both live a full and rewarding life and face adversity with dignity and class. She set a standard for others to follow. Shirley was born on October 4, 1935, in Waco, Texas, to Virginia Lee Hicks Stratton and Leslie M. Stratton. Shirley graduated from Waco High School in 1953, where she was Homecoming Queen. In 1955, she graduated from Christian College in Columbia, Missouri, where she was Valentine Sweetheart. In 1957, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas in Austin, where she was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, an organization with which she remained associated for the rest of her life. After graduation, Shirley moved to Dallas to teach elementary education. In Dallas, she met and married Richard Lynn Hunt in 1959, with whom she had three daughters, and was active in PTA, Camp Fire, Theta Showcase, Dallas Society for Crippled Children, Art About Town, and was a member of Lover's Lane United Methodist Church. After raising her family, Shirley worked at Neiman Marcus Northpark for eight years, followed by eight years at Alex Brown Investments, after which she moved back to her hometown to be closer to her family and dear friends. In 1994, Shirley was diagnosed with Waldenstroms, a rare form of lymphoma. In Waco, Shirley served as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, the Art Center, Historic Waco, and was a member of First United Methodist Church. In 2009, she married Mike Lanham, whom she had known since high school. In 2016, Shirley was diagnosed with leukemia. Shirley enjoyed the outdoors; gardening, especially growing her zinnias; fishing; and traveling, especially to Maine, where she and Mike were married. More than anything else, she enjoyed being with her husband and family. Shirley is survived by her loving and supportive husband, Mike Lanham, and her three daughters and their husbands: Jennifer and Ted Weggeland of Riverside, California; Lynn and Jack Allinson of Crawford; and Julie and Kyle Danehy of Austin. She will be forever loved and missed by her seven grandchildren: William, Mary Kate and Jack Weggeland; Shelby and Tres Allinson; and Sadie Claire and Clementine Danehy. She leaves two loving brothers and their wives: Les Stratton and his wife, Doris, of Texarkana, and Jerry Stratton and his wife, Patty of Brenham. Shirley leaves Kathy and Greg Wessels of Marble Falls and Chris and Nancy Lanham of Waco and their children; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Shirley's family gives special thanks to Dr. Okani and staff at Texas Oncology and Bluebonnet Health Services. If desired, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, Waco; Central Christian Church, Waco; or Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.