Colonel Emily Lanier

Mrs. Colonel Emily Lanier, 81, of Cumming, GA went to be with the Lord on October 31, 2010. Emily Marcia Lanier was born December 14, 1928 to Mattie and Earl V. Farmer. Emily, with her family was welcomed into fellowship of the Salvation Army, accepted the Lord into her heart, and was enrolled as a Junior Soldier in 1938, beside her brothers Richard and Gary, mother and father.

The Farmer family was assigned to lead the organization's work in New Bern, N.C. where she graduated from High School, entered the School for Officers' Training as a Cadet; was commissioned to Officership June 1948, and stationed to assist the work in Greenville, S.C.

In June 1949 her ministry was joined in marriage to Lieutenant Rodolph Lanier, continuing his appointment in Winston Salem, NC. Subsequent appointments took the Laniers to Durham, NC as local commanders of the work; Divisional Headquarters of Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, Kentucky-Tennessee, and Atlanta at the organization's Territorial Headquarters. Following retirement in 1991, Emily with her husband moved to their home in Forsyth County, GA.

Two sons were born to the couple: Steven and Lance. Emily was predeceased by her mother and father, son Steven, and grandson Timothy. Survivors include son Lance, grandsons Robert Lanier and Blake Lanier; granddaughter Brooke Dao; daughter-in-law Sheila Lanier, grand-daughters-in law Ginger Lanier and Jill Lanier, and grandson-in-law Daniel Dao.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at the Salvation Army Temple on North Druid Hills and I-85 in Atlanta. Interment will follow at Westview Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 2 from 6:00