Lila Heath Lanier

Aiken – Lila Mae Heath Lanier, age 85, passed away Thursday, July 9, 2026. She was the widow of Dennis H. Lanier, the love of her life. A private graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Graniteville, SC.

Lila, as she was known to family and friends, was born on August 28, 1940, in Aiken, South Carolina, in the former Gamekeeper’s Lodge in Hitchcock Woods, to the caretaker at the time, the late Cleveland L. Heath and the late Alberta W. Heath. Lila was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt. She was a member of the Stiefeltown Baptist Church and was a retired legal secretary.

She is survived by a daughter, Debbie L. Reed and her husband Randy, a son, Dennis H. Lanier Jr. and his wife Linda, a granddaughter, Emily R. Richardson and her husband James, a great granddaughter, LillyAnna Barton, a niece, Patricia Benton, and a nephew, Walker Morris.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Lila was predeceased by her sisters, Louise Morris, Polly Heath, Dolly Lewis, and her brother M.C. “Monroe” Heath.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hitchcock Woods Foundation, 444 South Boundary Ave, SW, Aiken, SC 29801. Their number is 803-642-0528. Their website is Hitchcock Woods Foundation – Aiken, SC .

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC