Essie Mae Lanier

            Mrs. Essie Mae Lanier, 85, of Youngstown, departed this life Friday, April 10, 2026.

            Mrs. Lanier was born May 24, 1940, in Cherryville, North Carolina, a daughter of Bud Roland and Essie Pearl Williams.  She attended East High School and was a loving homemaker.  Essie enjoyed skating, swimming, dancing, sewing, but most of all, loved the Lord.

            She leaves to mourn her passing, but to rejoice in her peace, seven children, Mildred Lanier, Alseen (Harvey) Daniel, Samuel Lanier, and Richard Lanier all of Youngstown, Sandra Lanier, Mark Ladson and Joshua Scott all of Columbus; her sister, Mary Lee Smith of Campbell; two brothers, R. B. Roland and Bud Roland Jr. both of Youngstown; 20 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.

            Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel, whom she married January 22, 1957 and who passed away February 19, 2001; her grandson, Marquis Cambridge; a great grandson, Demetrius L. Chatman Jr.; and two siblings, Annie Clinkscale and John Roland.

            Visitation will be Friday, April 24, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the L. E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home.  Interment will be at Tod Homestead Cemetery.           

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