Lena Inez Napier

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lena Inez Napier, 100 formerly of Danville Went peacefully to rest at 4:30 p.m. at the Eastside Rehab Center on Thursday, November 23, 2006. Lena Napier was born September 27, 1906 in Ruppertown, Tennessee, the daughter of Pate Christopher and Lula Mae Allen Napier. She moved to Danville with her family in 1912. She attended Danville schools. She was the oldest surviving member of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church. Lena played for the senior choir for many years. She was formerly married to Otis Lawrence of Georgetown. Earlier in life she was employed by Meis Bros and Parisian Clothing store. She left Danville in the late 1950s and moved to California. She returned to Illinois and lived in Chicago with her son. Lena came back to Danville and lived at Vallyview and Mer Che Manor. In her later years she moved to Milwaukee to live with her daughter. Lena led a full life and still was sassy as ever along with being a classy dresser. Her family called her Nannie. She leaves to cherish her memory, a Daughter, Norma Gilmore, seven grandchildren, Vickie Eubanks, Crystal Gilmore, Amos Gilmore and Judith Gilmore all of Milwaukee, Laurie Gilmore, Canada and Lemonde Lawrence and Becky Lawrence of California, nine great-grand children, and fourteen great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Cleo Napier, a brother, Elmer Napier both of Danville, sister-in-law, Geraldine Nesbitt of Georgetown, daughter-in-law, Kenella Lawrence of Danville, a special friend, Marguerite Robinson, a special niece, Julia Drain both of Danville, and other nieces , nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Wayman and Herman, a sister, Lucille Drain, two sons, Wilbur Christopher Napier and Edgar Lawrence, one great-grandson, Jeffery Gilmore. A celebration of life funeral service for Lena will be 12 noon at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church on Thursday, November 30, 2006 Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service. Officiating will be Rev. Arthur Cortez. Entombment will be in Sunset Memorial park Mausoleum. Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center is in charge of arrangements. Condolences to the family can be e-mailed at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com