Hazel Lanning

Waynesville, Hazel Kilby Lanning, age 91, passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2020 at her home.

She was a native of Jackson County and was a daughter of the late Lawrence and Lura Wyatt Kilby.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Lanning, who died August 7, 1998; a granddaughter, Kristy Lanning; three brothers, Luther, John and Joe Kilby; and infant twin sisters.

Hazel was the oldest member of Allens Creek Baptist Church.  She was actively involved with her church, serving meals for the Golden Harvester group and Widow’s Group.  Hazel was also heavily involved in serving the community through Meals on Wheels.  Her moto was "If you don’t have something good to say, say nothing at all".  That’s the motto she exemplified in life.  Hazel also enjoyed sewing and maintaining her flowers throughout the seasons.  You could also find Hazel spending time at Charlie’s goat farm, where she would feed, care and even help birth the goats.

Hazel is survived by her daughter, Jackie Lanning, of Waynesville; three sons, Richard W. Lanning, and his wife, Jynks, of Canton, Charlie Lanning, and his wife, Sharon, of Waynesville and Jim Lanning, and his wife, Vickey, of Waynesville; six sisters, Helen Greene and Elizabeth Balding, both of Candler, Linda Clark, Marie Sharp and her husband, Cecil, Cora Browning and Nora Mashburn and her husband, Joe, all of Waynesville; four sisters-in-law, Johnnie Ruth Kilby, of Waynesville, Ella Mae Lanning, of Sylva, Wilma Crawford, of Waynesville and Jewel Kilby, of Florida; seven grandchildren, Tina Sloan (Scott) and Brek Lanning, Brian Lanning, Rebecca Mashburn (Jay), Scott Lanning (Sarah) and Abby Landry (Jonathan); twelve great-grandchildren; and her beloved yorkie, Baxter.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 5, 2020 at Allens Creek Baptist Church with Reverend Scotty Patrick officiating.  Burial will follow at Rocky Branch Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the church.

Memorials may be made to Allens Creek Baptist Church Sunday School Wing Renovation Fund, 549 Allen’s Creek Road, Waynesville, NC 28786.

The care of Mrs. Lanning has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes.