Willene Laney Maness

Willene Laney Maness, 98, of Leicester, formerly of Indian Trail, NC, was called home to be with Lord on Friday, November 1, 2013. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She was born on September 5, 1915 to William and Loma Howie Laney. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Bradley Maness, in 1978. She is survived by her two daughters, Helen Steelman Tyndall and husband John, of Leicester, and Jo Levonne Sharer and husband Frank, of Indian Trail; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; brother, William Laney, Jr., of Tennessee; and sister, Geneva Hepp, of Virginia. "Miss Willene," or "Grandmother" as she was known to so many, will be remembered for her love and compassion. She enjoyed cooking and shared many wonderfully prepared meals, beautifully decorated cakes and delicious country ham biscuits with others. Her great love for the Lord Jesus Christ was always evident in her life, and the Lord used her in the lives of many, many people. She was a member of Malvern Hills Presbyterian Church, PCA. A service celebrating Willene's life will be held on Sunday, November 3, at 3:00 p.m. at Malvern Hills Presbyterian Church, with retired pastor of Indian Trail Presbyterian Church and much loved friend, Rev. George Lashley, from Florida, and pastor of Malvern Hills Presbyterian Church, Rev. Thomas Cox, officiating. Her family will meet with friends in the fellowship hall after the service. A celebration service will also be held on Monday, November 4, at 1:00 p.m. at Indian Trail Presbyterian Church, Indian Trail, NC, with the Rev. George Lashley, and Indian Trail Presbyterian Church pastor, Rev. Jim Johns, officiating. Her family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn East Cemetery, in Matthews, NC. In lieu of flowers and her desire to help others, the family requests that memorials may be made to the Surgery Fund for Jenna Cox, at Malvern Hills PCA, 2 Bear Creek Rd., Asheville, NC 28806. Jenna is a special friend of Willene's who is a resilient, effervescent, 16-year-old who is legally blind, a survivor of childhood cancer, and is facing two upcoming corneal stem cell transplants. Donations may also be made to CarePartners Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.