Lanie Carpenter Johnson

Lanie Carpenter Johnson, 92 of Durham passed away on Monday November 11, 2019. She was born on April 17, 1927 to the late Martha Blalock Carpenter and Doc Carpenter. Lanie was preceded in death by her sons, Bobby Barnette, Jerry Barnette and Dalton Barnette along with her sister Mavis Carpenter Ray and brothers Euston Carpenter, Claiborne Carpenter, Ronald Carpenter and Earl Carpenter.   

As a young adult tough circumstances in life forced Lanie to become fiercely independent. She had the strongest work ethic of anyone you could ever meet. Her first job was with Waters Electronics earning $1 per hour. She never had just one job, she often worked two and three jobs to stay financially afloat and always ensured the needs of her children were met. Lanie also worked at Airtron before eventually landing at Troxler where she retired after 19 years of service as an assembler. The numerous side jobs she worked along the way included making biscuits at Bojangles, Burger King and Leesville Road Minimart. Her last employment stint was spent working in the Deli at Harris Teeter where you’d always be greeted with, “Hey Sugar” or “Honey what would you like?” Lanie retired from Harris Teeter at the age of 85. She enjoyed working because she felt it keep her young, active, and provided daily purpose.    

Lanie was a unique personality, she loved to laugh and joke with everyone. Given her family roots and all the places she worked, Lanie knew folks everywhere; she never met a stranger, she’d talk to anyone, and loved children. She loved the lord and was a faithful member of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Durham, until relocating to Louisburg where she attended Cedar Rock First Baptist Church until her health declined. Lanie was essential to the fabric of the Leesville Rd community; she knew everything about everybody and when anyone had need, she would send food or lend support. Her favorite saying was “I would give anybody the clothes off my back” to help others.

Lanie was a feisty survivor winning the fight against breast cancer and Lymphoma before ultimately succumbing to the battle with Ureter Cancer. She was a huge wrestling fan! She looked forward to watching WWE Smackdown and planning her nights around wrestling was a priority. She also enjoyed baking, fishing, going to the goodwill, playing Bingo with her friends and displayed a mastery of talking on the phone with family & friends. She kept up with people daily, even up to her last days. She had many dear friends throughout life including a special lifelong friendship of 85+ years with Daisy Parker who she often referred to as “Aunt Daisy”. Daisy and Lanie grew up together they helped each other through the thick and thin, they were like sisters. Lanie also loved her dog “Lady”.

Lanie is survived by her sisters Jeannette Bullock (Jimmy), Linda Wheeler and Doris Shealey; child: Charles (Gloria); Daughter-in laws Dianne Barnette and Glenda Allen (Toby); grandchildren: Daryl, Steve (Joy), Teresa (Vernon), Toby (Pam), Amanda, Tabitha, Randy (Sandy), Karen and Glenn; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm Friday, November 15, 2019 at Olive Branch Baptist Church, 123 Olive Branch Rd, Durham. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens, 3712 Cheek Rd, Durham.
The family will receive visitors 1 hour prior to service 1:00 – 2:00 pm at Olive Branch Baptist Church. The family will also receive family and friends’ other times at the home of Teresa Allen.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider donating to The V Foundation for Cancer Research or Susan G. Komen. Our Granny was a fighter but the battle’s not over we need more research so we can one day end cancer.

A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest, NC. (919-556-5811)

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.