Elaine Delilah Lane

Elaine was the third child born to Frank Williams and Jane Ester Ford in Jacksonville Florida on September 23, 1952. After they divorced and both remarried, they each had four additional children, totaling twelve brothers and sisters plus the blessing of three additional siblings totaling fifteen. She was only about five when she went to live with Grandmother Idella in Pompano Beach Florida. Elaine grew up with her siblings as migrants until her young adult years. It was a hard life, but she endured.

Educationally, she got her GED and continued to better herself as a migrant student. She was the first black teller to work at the Immokalee Community Bank a few years after integration was forced. A few years later, she went back to school, to get certified as a reading tutor and worked for the Collier County School Board for thirty years. After retirement, she was right there continuing to help with training first year, first grade teachers tutoring skills in reading. This provided language support and encouragement to the entire community regardless of their economic or racial status. Over the years Elaine has given back by serving the community, churches, and schools. She helped by organizing Black History Programs, Marches and Parades, singing in the community choir, working on the New Bethune Historic Committee, and serving on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. She was nominated to be the parade Marshall a few years ago.

Elaine’s life practices showed others how to honor God by participating in the work of the church. Her involvement as a Church Choir Member, Sunday School Teacher, and Director of the Food Ministry afforded her the opportunity to build collaborations with the Collier Harvest Food Foundation of Naples Florida and Pastor Howard Allen Sr. at Glendale Bible Baptist Church in order to minister to Immokalee families who are in need.

Additionally, Elaine is a faithful member of the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) and it’s Bible Study Groups. One of her church missions was working with the Girls in Action youth (GA) a mission discipleship organization for girls who are age 6-11 or in grades 1–6 and the Acteens which is a mission organization for girls ages 12–17 or in grades 7–12. The girls have opportunities to grow in their relationships with God and their peers. The way Elaine lived, showing her beliefs through her actions and, the words that she often spoke “I AM REDEEMED” is how she said that she wanted to be remembered.

Those who grew up with Elaine called her by her childhood nickname, “sugar”. But we also know that she is as sweet as honey, a selfless and giving Christian. She has shown respect and been given respect in return from all cultures, business owners, bankers, teachers, government officials and police officers in our community and beyond.

Elaine Deliah Williams Lane leaves to morn her loving husband Donald Lane; brother in-laws, Charles Lane and Willie Frank (Barbara); sisters-in-laws, Sheryl Lane; Patricia Lane; and Victoria Lane. Elaine leaves to morn her children; sons, Terrence Sumter Sr. (Kara), Eric Smith Sr, Willie Smith Sr., Carl Smith and daughter, Dorothy Sloan (Nathan); grandsons; Terrance Sumter Jr., Jaime Sumter, Eric Smith Jr., Willie Smith Jr., Elijah Moiselous, Tabari Sloan, and Khairi Sloan. Granddaughters; Tenequa Smith (deceased), Angelica Sumter, Jodaysia Vil, Erica Smith, Amber Smith, Tashanti Smith, Skyler Williams, and Elizbeth Smith. Great- grandchildren; Varyla Erizil, Victoria Sumter, Jariyah Sumter, Jamar Sumter, Armon Evans Jr., and Tremir Brown.

Sisters; Patricia Kimble, Claudette Williams; Kenya Kelly Thomas (Cassius), Janet Landcaster, Linda Williams (deceased), Angelnette Williams Jones (Alvin), Gawadia Williams, Saadia Williams, Juanita Williams Davis (deceased), Cassonga Williams (deceased). Brothers; Simeon (deceased) (Lashell), Andre Williams, Robert Smith (Pamela), Gregory Kelly, Floyd Williams Sr. (Claudia), Jeron Linder.

Neice and nephews, Rodrick Kimble, Terrell Kimble, Kamahl Kimble, Elonda Stephens, Terry Stephens, Jamoury Gillings, Samoura Gillings, Freenette Williams, Ivey Mitchell (Andrea), Sabrina Mitchell, Nieka Mitchell Catchings (Chris), Zackery Williams, Correen Williams, Joel Landcaster (Sophie), Jacob Landcaster, Andrew Landcaster, Caleb Landcaster (deceased), Geneva Driver, Shantel Kelly, Iasia Landcaster, Robert Smith Jr., Lamar Greene, Caleb Greene (deceased), Dequan Greene, Jasmine Leonard (Arsmer), Amaris Mack, Jeron Linder Jr., Shakiray Linder, Shavis Linder, Kara Linder, Floyd C. Williams, Floyd L. Willams, Lisa Williams, Nina Al-As’ad, Rodney Willaims (deceased), Melinda Bailey, Demarvin Mitchell, Frederick Williams, Jennifer Johnson, Miracle Jones, Jikhi Jones, Kenneth Williams, Darren Bing, James Bing, Marsharie Williams, Mkwin Williams and a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

A funeral service for Elaine will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park, 12777 State Road 82, Fort Myers, FL 33913, followed by a graveside service from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM.