Ruth Maney

Ruth Lanier (McClain) Maney was born on Jan. 24, 1925, in San Antonio, Texas to Jerome and Irene Brawley. At the age of nine she was adopted by Morris and Essie (Braden) McClain and was reared in Lytton Springs, Texas.

Ruth, 85, of Austin, and formerly of Lockhart, passed away peacefully at home while all was peaceful and calm in the early morning hours on Monday, Aug

. 16, 2010. The gates of Heaven swung open for “Lanier” when she answered her Master’s call and boarded her train heaven bound to eternal rest.

Ruth was united in holy matrimony to Ollie Lee Maney on March 28, 1942. To this union two children were born a daughter, Essie Lee and a son, Robert Earl.

“Lanier,” as she was affectionately known by her family and many friends attended school at the Lockhart Vocational School, in Lockhart. After graduation and during WWII she did sewing at the factory in Lockhart helping to make uniforms for the soldiers. She also worked for the Reed family for many years. She was employed by B&B Florist for more than 30 years. She had a caring and loving spirit, and a broad knowledge of flowers, which was expressed through her work as a Floral Designer.

Lanier’s personality was sweet, calm and humorous. She loved to joke, lived life to the fullest, and never took life for granted. She always took note of life’s lessons and always found the fun side of any situation.

She was a faithful member of St. Mark’s UMC, Lockhart, Texas, for many years and held many positions within the church. She remained a member of St. Mark’s under the leadership of Rev. Foster Roberts until she relocated to Austin, to care for her Aunt Christine. Later she united with St. Peter’s UMC by letter under the pastorage of Rev. Morris Daughtery (as she noted on the last day that he was there as Pastor) at which time Rev. Cravens became the new pastor of St. Peters. Lanier was Communion Steward, a very faithful participant/member of SPAM. She had an unwavering faith, even in the midst of trials and hard times that inspired her family to have the same faith in God. She was a very dedicated warrior who lived the life and her primary endeavor in life was to serve the Lord. She remained a faithful member of St Peters UMC until her health failed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ollie Lee Maney; her biological parents, Jerome and Irene Brawley; her adopted parents, Morris and Essie McClain; and her aunt, Christine Breedlove.

Lanier leaves to cherish her memory a very loving and devoted daughter and son-in-law, Essie Lee and Tommie Thompson; a son, Robert Earl Maney; three grandchildren: Donyale Thompson, of Lockhart, Eric Thompson of Ocean Side, Calif.; and Ursula Draper; five great-grandchildren: Jordan Thompson, of Lockhart, and Eboni, William and Alexus Draper and Jason Sanders, all of Austin; and a host of extended family and friends.

Visitation was held on Friday Aug. 20, 2010, from 5 – 8 p.m. at Eeds Funeral Home in Lockhart. Services were Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010, at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, in Austin, with Rev. Sylvester Chase officiating. Interment followed at Hooks Cemetery in Lockhart.

Serving as pallbearers were: Eric Thompson, Michael Thompson, William Draper, Trashard Haywood, Greg Thompson, Bryant Johnson and James D. Thompson.

All arrangements with Eeds Funeral Home, 408 S. Main, Lockhart, Texas. (512) 398-2343.