Donna Jean Lanning

Fletcher School Mourns Student's Passing

   The student body of the Fletcher Schools were grieved beyond words at the sudden death of Donna Lanning, from our first grade.  The untimely passing of this child cast a feeling of sadness over high school students and staff memberseven as it did in the primary department. There is no questioning the fact that shewas one of our best loved youngsters.

   It is always difficult to see death taken someone from among us; it is much more difficult if the person taken is young and the life before them is full of promise and there is every reason to believe full of happiness and usefulness.  Donna's life was  like that.  Children such as she are our country's most valuable asset.  It is awesome to contemplate the amount of good that could come from one such life if allowed to live and come to fruition.
   God has seen fit to call home one of our finest.  Our loss is Heaven's gain.  We cannot find a reason for the passing of a child like this, but,it is in such times that we turn to the passage which says, "All Things Work Together for the Good of Those Who Love the Lord."  We do not try to explain, we simply believe and,from having believed we are led to a better understanding of life here and hereafter.

         Kenneth H. Harrel, Superintendent, Fletcher Schools

 In Memory of Donna Jean Lanning

    The funeral for Donna Jean Lanning, 7, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Lanning was held Thursday afternoon, March 10, at the First Methodist Church in Fletcher.
     Donna Jean died as the result of an accidental fall from her parents car on the Monday night previous.
     A Very beautiful service was given by Rev. J.P. Simmons, pastor of the Methodist church, assisted by R.M. Templeton, and Rev. Ray Roach, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Fletcher.
     Pall Bearers were the four boys who work at the shop, Bill Mullenix, Tommie Fentress, John and Charles Ice.  Honorary Pall Bearers were the boys in her first grade room at school:  Larry Arthur,Lawris Ray Roach, Paul Stinnett, Edward Anderson, Tommy Wisener, Mickey Howard, Charles Reick and D.W. Stroud.  The flower bearers were the little girls of Donna's room at school:  Nancy Hrbacek, Linda Lilly, Sharon Wilson, Sharon Kernodle, Mary Ann Hayes, Katy Lou Higdon, Anna Seymour, Ann Ruth Conrad, Deloris Kendall, Margie Etter, Daisy Burden, and Judy Lytle.
     The Junior girls of the Methodist Sunday School sang in the sweet tones of their youthful voices, accompanied by Mrs. Jewel Griffith at the piano, "This Is My Fathers World", and O, Little Town of Bethlehem."  The faces of the youngsters with their arms loaded with the beautiful and numerous floral offerings lining the aisle of the church and steps from the Church were as sweet as the life they were thus honoring.
     Donna is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Lanning, a sister, Karen Kay, both grandmothers, Mrs. Myrtle Lanning and Mrs. Anna Smith; two uncles Wilbur C. Smith and Harold Hayes.
     Burial was in the Fletcher Cemetery with Wisener Funeral Home in charge.
     Donna Jean had a birthday party the other Saturday.
     She loved parties , for she loved happiness and people, and people were always happy at parties.  Especially, she loved this one for she was now seven, and she knew that seven-year-olds were almost grown up and could make mother and daddy happy by helping them.  Why, the very next morning she was up bright and early and had breakfast all prepared before the pleasant aroma of frying bacon aroused mother from her needed rest.
     From then on Donna Jean overflowed with hapiness, and she shared it with everyone about her.  There were so many nice gifts from her little playmates, and she wondered how she could ever show her thanks.  Of course she could tell them all again at school and maybe explain the gifts at "Show and Tell"-only her class mates wouldn't have any time left for their "Show and Tell", for she had so much to talk about!  Well, maybe she could just take a few presents, then there' be some time left for the other kiddies.
     It must have been a good "Show and Tell."  She was radiant when mother and daddy called for her after school to go on a short business trip to the county seat.  There was some explanation about the new pencil box--it was so nice.  She was holding it tenderly when the wind swept her through the suddenly opened car door.
     It was as if an unwitting shoe had trod upon a glowing flower, the many-hewd crayons scattering as would delicate petals.  There was no pain.  Like the flower, the little life had exuded its beauty, and for having known of it, myriads of hearts were touched with indellible love.  Grief?  Yes, seemingly inexaustible grief.  We mourn for all precious things, because we love them so.  Donna Jean loved and was loved that way, her seven years of radiance even yet dispelling the gloom in saddened hearts.  Our Maker provided darkness that we may know better the light.
     We who have platted, groomed and lived in the beauty of our garden, wish to extend our fervent gratitude to a wonderfully gracious community.  Your generous floral tributes, helping hands, sympathy are beacons which are guiding us through our darkest pathway of life.
     Signed:  Ralph, Catherine, and Karen Kay Lanning

Newspaper article furnished by Mrs. Marie Anderson