Julia Lanning

"Nana" "Grammy"

Waynesville,  Julia Maria McElroy Lanning, age 62, passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at Care Partners Hospice.

A native of Haywood County, she was a daughter of the late James "Jim" Robert McElroy, Sr. and Betty Sue Hannah McElroy.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a younger brother, James Robert "Robbie" McElroy, Jr.  Julia was a member of White Oak Baptist Church.  She was a surgical nurse for 33 years with Haywood Regional Medical Center.  Julia enjoyed quilting, making quilts for her children and grandchildren, crafting and gardening.  She was passionate about caring for other people, always putting people in front of herself.  Her favorite vacation destination was Isle of Palms and Charleston.  Julia enjoyed holding hands with her husband and listening to their favorite music.

Julia is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Ricky Gene Lanning, Sr.; daughter, Stephanie Morgan, and her husband, Jared, of Clyde; two sons, Ricky Lanning, Jr. and his wife, Karen, and Israel Lanning, and his wife, Katie, all of Waynesville; four grandchildren, Isaac, Chase and Mason Lanning and Ross Morgan; a special brother-in-law, Jimmy Lanning who was like one of their kids.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2021 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Gary Putnam officiating.  The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 4:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.  Services will also be live streamed and may be accessed through Julia’s obituary on the Wells Funeral Homes website.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made for funding research to Sarah Cannon Center for Blood Cancer at TriStar Centennial, 2410 Patterson Street, 5th Floor, Nashville, TN  37203.