Sarah Ellen Lanning

Sarah Ellen Payne Lanning, age 98 of Epworth, GA passed away peacefully at her home on August 4, 2021. She was born June 19, 1923 in Englewood, TN to the late Clifford W. and Hazel Thomas Payne. Mrs. Lanning was a wonderful, loving, Christian mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her father, Clifford Payne, her mother, Hazel Thomas Payne, her husband of 57 years, Gene Lanning; her brother and his wife, Weldon L. Payne and Mercedes Payne; and sons-in-law, Donnie Arp and Robert Guthrie. She is survived by her daughters, Sarah Arp and Becky Guthrie; grandchildren, Greg (Robin) Arp, Kevin (Karen) Arp, and Michelle (Chris) Gibbs; ten great-grandchildren, Kristyn, Matthew, Nick, Brian, and Evan Arp, Caroline, Ty, Sarah Kate, and Landry Gibbs, and Arricka Moss; great-great-grandchild, Ethan Wooten; and niece, Denise Payne. Mrs. Lanning retired from Cities Service where she worked for many years as a lab technician. In her spare time, she loved to travel and vacation. She was a member of First Baptist Church McCaysville/Copperhill where she taught Sunday School, worked with GA's and Women's Missionary Union, and was a member of the JOY Sunday School Class. Mrs. Lanning was a charter member with the volunteers at the Copper Basin Medical Center and was still active as a Pink Lady volunteer with Fannin Regional Hospital. The family would like to give special thanks to Pruitt Hospice Care and especially to Jerrod Curtis and Makenzie McClure.

A memorial service is scheduled for September 11, 2021 from the First Baptist Church McCaysville/Copperhill at 2:00pm with the following ministers officiating; Rev. Harry Gilbert, Rev. Matthew McDaniel, Rev. Chris Clark and Rev. Jerry Meredith. Visitation with the family will be held at the church on September 11, 2021 from 12:30pm until the memorial service hour of 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Fannin Regional Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund c/o Susan Kiker 2855 Old Hwy 5 Blue Ridge, GA 30513 or to Women on Missions at Epworth First Baptist Church PO Box 187 Epworth, GA 30541.

Arrangements entrusted to the Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of McCaysville, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.