Elizabeth Ellen Raney

Elizabeth Ellen McMillian-Raney, affectionately known as Sugar Pie, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend, teacher, healer of many scrapes, runny noses, bruises and broken hearts, role model, painter, weaver, lifelong resident of Houston/Bellaire, Texas, and devout Catholic, passed peacefully from this world on Saturday, December 28, 2013. She was 95 years of age and was married to Lawrence Alexander Raney Jr., who preceded her in death, for 71 years.

The fourth child of Elizabeth Ellen Slye and John Franklin McMillian, born June 17, 1918 in Houston, Texas, she studied at Texas State College for Women, now known as Texas Women’s University, and assisted her parents in the operation of the Aragon Ballroom of Houston. Married in 1939 she dedicated the balance of her life to her husband, children, church, and subjects in which she found interest.

She is survived by six children: Lawrence A. Raney III & wife Susan Judith, Gary Alan James Raney & wife Mary Kay, Carl Andrew Raney, Mary Annette Raney-Cole & husband Gary Alan, Elizabeth Allyson Cauley, and Robert Anton Raney & wife Elizabeth; eleven grandchildren: Lisa Rachel Raney-Perronne and husband Derek Donald, Lara Suzanne Raney and partner Paula Chambers, Patrika Jeanne Raney-Romano and husband Peter Joseph Jr., Gina Nannett Raney-Fischer and husband Thomas James Jr., Tracy Lynette Raney-McCarthy & husband James Robert, Faunia Annice Cole-Whisenant & husband Shawn Michael, Gary Alexander James Raney & wife Julie Lynn, Devon Michele Raney, Zachary William Cauley, Robert Lawrence Raney, and Allyson Beth Raney; and seven great-grandchildren: Kaley Nanette Fischer-Maulsby & husband Andrew David (Drew), Eugene Peter (Gino) Romano, Thomas James (Trey) Fischer, Ariana Nicole McCarthy, Alexa Jaden McCarthy, Kyra Maryee Whisenant, and Sienna Jade Whisenant.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2014, 2:00PM, Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris, Bellaire, Texas, 713-667-6505.

She would be pleased to have those wishing to acknowledge her presence and influence on their lives do so by making a contribution to a charity of their choosing in her name.

She was a woman of faith, commitment, ethics, and moral convictions manifest in her dedication to truth, fairness, and love, who lead and taught through her actions. Though missed, she will be always with us.