Edith Lanier White 103, of Kirksville passed away Sunday, May 23, 2021. Lanier is survived by daughter-in-law, Linda Strong; grandchildren, Susan Gass, Steve Strong and Ron Strong; and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by niece, Diane Apa and nephew, Larry Attebery. She was preceded by her son, Dr. Ronald Edwin Strong, and husband, Leslie Wood White.
Lanier was born June 3rd, 1917 in Lockhart, Texas, the younger daughter of Dr. Arthur Cleveland Hardy and Jassie William Brock Holt Hardy. Because of her father’s practice and continuing education she lived in New Orleans, Louisiana; Austin, Texas; and Kansas City, Missouri, finally arriving in Kirksville, Missouri in time for her third birthday. At that time her father became head of the Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat department at the American School of Osteopathy, (now A.T. Still University).
Lanier attended the Kirksville public schools and was active in local music circles. After graduation from high school she received her Associate of Arts degree from Stephens College, her B.S. in Education and MA in Administration from what is now Truman State University. She continued her education at Truman, University of Vermont, and University of Missouri. On September 2nd, 1938 Lanier married Dr. Carroll Edwin Strong. They moved to Hillsboro, Ohio and later to Toledo, Ohio. Their son, Ronald Edwin Strong was born October 26th, 1942.
In 1944 Lanier and her son moved back to Kirksville. On December 22nd, 1955 she married Leslie Wood White.
Lanier taught mathematics at the Kirksville Senior High School from 1949 to 1978. She received awards as the Outstanding Teacher of the Year in the Kirksville Schools and the Outstanding Mathematics teacher of the Year for the Northeast Missouri District of the Missouri State Teachers’ Association.
She is a member of the First Christian Church, Chapter CW-PEO, Monday Club, Mothers’ Home Club, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Missouri State Teachers’ Association.
Visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2021 with funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home. Burial will be in Maple Hills Cemetery.
Memorials in memory of Lanier are suggested to Chapter CW, P.E.O.; and can be left at the funeral home or sent to President Mrs. Wesley Ryle, 16690 New Hope Way, Kirksville, MO 63501.