Naomi Kirkland Lanier was born on November 6, 1927 in Liberty, MS to Bessie and Clem Kirkland.  She was a wonderful Christian woman, and was loved by all who knew her.  She was a long-time resident of Beaumont, TX.

After graduating from high school in Liberty, Naomi moved to Baton Rouge, LA where she attended Chenier Business School.  She worked at LSU at the Agricultural Extension Dept, where she met Robert (Bob) Lanier.  They married March 28, 1948 in Baton Rouge.  Bob's career with Gulf States Utilities began in Beaumont, Texas and involved moves to Port Arthur, Huntsville, Navasota, Conroe and then finally back to Beaumont in 1971.  Naomi enjoyed living in these places, and developed many long-term friendships in each city.  She considered it a privilege to work at the elementary schools where her children attended over the years.  While in Huntsville, she also attended Sam Houston State University.

In Beaumont, Naomi worked as secretary at Caldwood Elementary.  While there, she received a life membership in PTA.  She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church for over 40 years.  Shortly after the church property was sold, she transferred to Westgate Memorial Baptist.

Everyone in Naomi's life knew that she loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As an expression of love for Him, she prioritized sharing her faith with, and being of service to others.  Her greatest joy was singing in the choir, directing music in the Senior's Sunday School department, teaching 13- and 14-year-old girls and working with young people.  She volunteered at the information desk of Baptist Hospital of SE Texas for over 25 years.  Naomi was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Social Sorority and the Golden Triangle Republican Women's Club.  She founded the Ladies Lunch Bunch Club.

She was preceded in death by her father, Clem Kirkland, Sr.; her mother, Bessie Graves Kirkland; her husband, Robert E. (Bob) Lanier; her son, Jerry Robert Lanier; and sister, Ruby Miriam Dolan.

She is survived by her son, Ronald E. Lanier of Houston, TX; daughter, Glenda Marie Wilson and her husband, Darrell Wilson of Richardson, TX; daughter-in-law, Donna Lanier of Brookshire, TX; along with grandchildren: Anne Marie Lanier, Emma Elizabeth Lanier, John Robert Lanier, David John Wilson and his wife, Emily Ann Wilson, and their two children, Parker and Claire; her siblings, Ruth Dixon, Lanell Sipes, Peggy Hall, Dr. Clem Kirkland, Jr. and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at Brown Funeral Home in Liberty, MS., from 10:00 A.M. until time of funeral services at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Graves Chapel Cemetery.