Pacific Christian Academy

Ethel Schrader Lanier
LANIER, Ethel Schrader Living a full life that nearly spanned a century, Ethel LaNier peacefully reunited with her Lord on July 3, 2008. She was born in the family farmhouse outside of Bernie, MO on November 6, 1908. She grew up in the old rural Steven's Chapel church of Christ where her family worshipped. Ethel attended local country schools and became a star basketball player while also attending to the usual academics at Bernie high school. She began her teaching career in a one-room country school near Bernie immediately following high school graduation. During summers she attended college in Cape Girardeau, MO obtaining her teaching certificate. In pursuit of a B.A. degree, she entered Harding College in Morrilton, AR in 1929. It was there she met her future husband, Sherman LaNier, a Harding ministerial student from Santa Rosa, California. Having earned degrees at Harding, they were married in 1935 and moved immediately to Nashville, Tennessee. There Ethel resumed her teaching career in the Elementary School connected with David Lipscomb College while husband Sherman taught at David Lipscomb High School and pursued his Masters Degree at George Peabody College. Sherman also preached at various churches of Christ in the Nashville area. Both sons, Jim and Chuck, were born while in Nashville. In 1941 Ethel and family moved to Valdosta, Georgia where Sherman became full-time minister for the Valdosta church of Christ. While visiting the Schrader family farm in Bernie, Missouri in 1944, Sherman very unexpectedly suffered a massive stroke and died at age 35. Two years following his death, Ethel accepted a teaching position at Pacific Christian Academy in Graton, CA. Husband Sherman and his two sisters had attended PCA in their youth as high school students. Ethel's move to Graton firmly established her as a permanent resident of Sonoma County for the next 62 years. She taught Junior High and High School English and Journalism at Pacific Christian Academy, directed the yearly school dramas, initiated the annual Poetry Recitation competition, and began the school newspaper, the P.C.A. Post, continuing as it's managing editor until she retired 58 years later. At the time of her retirement at 95 years of age, Ethel was still teaching one journalism class and putting out the school paper. She greatly influenced the lives of so many students, both in their Christian faith, in their proper use of the English language and in their knowledge and appreciation of literature. Up until her death, she continued to receive phone calls, letters, cards and personal visits from thankful students she had taught. She was also the teacher of her sons, her grandchildren and even some of her great-grandchildren at PCA. She will remain in the loving memories of her brother, Ralph Schrader, Roseburg, OR, sons, Jim LaNier and wife Melony, Santa Rosa and Chuck Lanier and wife Sandy, Graton; grandchildren, Cynthia LaNier, Santa Rosa, Angie LaNier, Guerneville, James LaNier, Santa Rosa, Michael Lanier, Malibu and Janet Lanier, Malibu; great grandchildren, Gina Sarra, Santa Rosa, Andrew Davis, Malibu, Jennifer Davis, Abilene, TX; Christopher LaNier, Tyler LaNier, and Hanna LaNier, Santa Rosa and Chance Miller, Guerneville. Ethel's nieces and nephews include Dr. William Green, Seattle WA, Ethel Parrish, Bentonville, AR, Dr. Ralph Green, Santa Barbara, Christine Risdon, Missoula, MT, Charnell Davis, Santa Rosa, Carolyn Tucker, Tualatin, OR, Barbara Schrader, Fairfax, VA, Bruce Schrader, Ojai, Glen Schrader, Port Willunga, South Australia and Lindsay Schrader, Salem, OR. For more than six decades Ethel's teaching touched many many lives which will never be the same. In her unpretentious actions of benevolence to others, she absolutely personified the Pacific Christian Academy school motto of "Unselfish Service." Over the years she allowed numerous Jr. High and High School students from a distance to live in her home so they might attend PCA. She consistently prepared Sunday dinner, each and every Sunday for some 8-10 guests. She worked in the apple industry during most summers to "make ends meet." She always tended a large half acre garden for foodstuffs and raised most all of the flowers for Sunday Worship at the Graton church of Christ where she was a faithful member for more than 60 years. Ethel found a wonderful life in Graton and at PCA among wonderful people. She was offered the Graton church of Christ parsonage, rent free, when she first moved to California. Her first and only house, the house she died in, was constructed for her some 3 years later in 1950 by parishioners and PCA supporters, primary among which were, "the Davis Boys, " Ivan, Gilbert, Art, Vincent and Jasper and their father, the senior Brother Del Davis, all previously gone to meet their Lord. Abundant food items, including much salmon and tuna, came her way by many associated with the school and the Graton church. She always stressed Christian living and education and if you had asked her how she managed financially, she would have told you she never lacked for anything. A more gracious, precious, faithful, giving, loving, Christian, Mother, Mother-in-Law, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt and friend has never walked this earth. Although our loss is so great, so too will be Ethel's reward! A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 19th at 2:00 p.m. at the church of Christ in Graton at 8897 Donald St. Everyone is invited for fellowship and a potluck dinner at the Pacific Christian Academy auditorium next door immediately following the memorial service as well. The family has requested that any donations be made to Pacific Christian Academy, PO Box 369, Graton, CA. 95444. The family also requests that you please visit the Pacific Christian Academy web-site: www.pacificchristianacademy.org and leave your personal remembrance of Ethel at that site. Published in the Press Democrat on 7/13/2008

Pacific Christian Academy P.O. Box 369 Graton, CA 95444-0369 707.823.2880
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