Mrs. Louise Swan Lane, age 89, a resident of 1013 Swan Point Reef, Washington, N.C., died Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at her home.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at First United Methodist Church officiated by the Rev. Danny Allen and the Rev. Chris Leak. Burial will be private. Jim Buckman, Buck Buckman, David Weatherly, Will Mayo, Jason Woolard, Joey Toler, Tom Vann and Brownie Futrell will serve as pallbearers. Bartow Houston will serve as honorary pallbearer.
Mrs. Lane was born in Beaufort County on Oct. 9, 1922, to the late Constantine Varan Swan and Louise Buckman Swan. She was a graduate of Washington High School and continued her education at Greensboro College (UNC-Greensboro) and the Richmond Professional Institute of Art (RPI). On Oct. 24, 1941, Louise Swan married Harold Alton Lane Sr., who survives. Mrs. Lane was very involved in her church and community. Mrs. Lane was one of the driving forces in establishing the Beaufort County Arts Council and served as the first executive director. Mrs. Lane was instrumental in obtaining the Train Depot building which now houses the Beaufort County Arts Council and Washington Civic Center. She was a member of the committee that organized and oversaw the first revitalization of Downtown Washington and Stewart Parkway. Mrs. Lane was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she was a life member of the United Methodist Women, was an active member of the Circle of Hope (formerly known as the Connie Howard Circle) and was a Sunday school teacher for many years. Mrs. Lane was one of the founders of the DeMille book club. Affectionately known as “Weasie” to her family and friends, Mrs. Lane was a loving and gentle wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and faithful friend.
In addition to her husband of the home, Mrs. Lane is survived by a daughter, Constance “Connie” Lane Howard of Washington, N.C.; two grandsons; Joel Thomas Howard and fiancé Valerie Williamson of Greenville, N.C., and Andrew Lane Howard and wife Shelly of Washington, N.C.; a great-grandson, Jackson Thomas Howard of Washington, N.C.; a daughter-in-law and special caregiver, JoAnn Whitaker; and a niece, Lynn Weatherly of Washington, N.C.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Lane is preceded in death by a brother and a sister; a son, Harold Alton Lane Jr.; and a son-in-law, Tom Howard.
The family wishes to offer special thanks to loving caregiver and friend Gladys Mizelle and Betty Faust, Jenny Cousins and Dawn Carawan. Special thanks is also offered to Community Home Care and Hospice and attending nurse and friend Phileta Garris-Holland.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Beaufort County Arts Council, 108 Gladden St., Washington, NC 27889 or to the First United Methodist Church, 304 W. Second St., Washington, NC 27889.
Online condolences may be offered to the Lane family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.
Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Lane family.