Vivian Kathleen Cantley

Vivian Kathleen Summers Lanier Cantley passed away peacefully on August 5, 2026, at the age of 105. She was born in Madison County Alabama on September 7, 1920, to parents, Robert and Addie Summers, and was one of eight children.

In 1940, at age 19, she married Henry Edward Lanier, a widower, who was eleven years her senior, with three children, ages 5, 6 and 9. Together they had one son before Henry died tragically in a car accident in 1956. She was an amazing mother and refused to use the term "step" when talking about anyone in her blended family.

In 1981, at age 60, she married Robert Cantley, a man who loved her family as much as his own. Together, they enjoyed traveling, primarily on bus tours until his death in 1986.

Her hobbies include traveling, which included visits to every state in the U.S. except for Hawaii. Her other hobbies included gardening, crocheting, puzzles and playing cards. She also wrote poetry about God, family and the beauty and wonder of nature. She even had one poem "My Savior" put to music and sung in her church.

She was a member of Edwards Lake Church of Christ, where she attended regularly into her late 90s. She dedicated two decades of devoted service at Tubb Pharmacy on Southside, and later at Plott and Campbell Drugs in East Lake, where she met Mr. Cantley.

She is preceded in death by two sons - Thomas Edward Lanier and Paul David Lanier, and one grandson, Thomas Joe Lanier.

She is survived by son, Johnny Calvin Lanier, and daughter, Kathryn Lanier Barton, along w/ eleven grandchildren - Melanie Lanier, Missy Lanier Gandy (Bill), Sally Lanier Bishop (Tim), Dale Lanier (Laura), Judy Lanier Miller (Joe), Lisa Lanier Boysen (Sonke), Jeffrey Barton, Randy Barton (Lee Patterson), Bobbi Barton, David Harris (Cathy), Aimee Lanier Camper (Barrett). She is also survived by nieces -Vivian Anderson and Reba Bryan, and nephews - Jackie Gregory, Dennis Summers, Greg Summers, and Jeff Summers, as well as several great and great-great grandchildren.

There will be a viewing/family visitation on Monday, 8/10/26, from 5-7pm at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel, 1500 Gadsden Highway, with a celebration of life service on Tuesday, 8/11/26, at the same location.

“BLESSINGS” by Vivian Kathleen Cantley

I try to count my blessings,

and many come to mind,

When I go to God and thank Him,

I don't have to stand in line.

I thank Him for my loved ones,

and friends both far and near,

and give special thanks for some

I hold so very dear.

I thank Him for the blessings

he so freely gave to me,

and thank Him for His creation.

He gave me sight to see.

I thank Him for each day on earth

as I travel down life's road,

and thank Him for His loving hand

that lifted heavy loads.

I can't begin to thank Him

for His blessings through the years,

He has lifted many burdens,

and wiped away the tears.

So, I'll just go on believing

He is always there for me,

and thank Him for His blessings

til His precious face I see.

Vivian Kathleen Cantley