Mildred Lanier Shook

Mildred Shook “Millie” was born on February 19, 1920 in Roanoke, VA and died on Friday July 22 2016 in Birmingham, AL. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hoke Smith Pipes and Margaret Fralin Pipes and her husbands James Gibson Lanier and Paschal Green Shook. She is survived by her sons James Gibson Lanier, Jr. (Gordon) and Randolph Houston Lanier (ex. Lou) and her grandchildren, James Gibson Lanier, III (Nat) and Betsy Lanier Miller (Brad), Annie Lanier Steur (Roger), Blair Lanier (Nick Landau), Kay Lanier Cox (Joseph), and John Banister “J.B” Lanier. She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Daniel Lanier, Andrew Lanier, Ellie Miller, Mamie Miller, Molly Steur, Will Steur, Indira Landau and Wyatt Landau. Millie’s marriage to Paschal Shook increased her family and brought into her embrace Evie Shook Vare (Alex), Cynnie Shook Sproull, Pat Shook , Trippe Sproull (Shauna), Margaret (Meg ) Stewart and Caroline "Carrie" Stewart Overcash.

Millie was a southern lady who had an independent streak. She volunteered at the Birmingham Museum of Art Store. She traveled extensively and kept travelogues of where she had been and what she had done on her travels. She was a member of The Married Ladies Reading Club and enjoyed learning at New Horizons at UAB. Millie was a member of The Junior League of Birmingham and loved her volunteer positions. Her love for art, music and history never wavered. She was a true “Renaissance Lady”.

Millie spent much of her youth visiting family in Birmingham and Clanton. Her time spent with her aunt and uncle, Leona and Hughes Kennedy, and her cousins in the Kennedy household was very special to her. She graduated from the University of Alabama and was an active member of Kappa Delta Sorority. After she and Gibson married, they spent time in California and Rhode Island at the beginning of WWII. She later returned to Tuscaloosa and received her degree while her husband was in the Navy. After the war, they lived in Central City and Owensboro, Kentucky. They finally settled in Birmingham.

After a wonderful marriage and raising their family, her life took a difficult turn with Gibson’s death. Her inner strength rose from her soft façade. She began to travel, many times without a companion. She began her work outside the home. She joined groups that stimulated her intellect. Years later, she met and married Paschal, and they had a wonderful second life together. They wrote poetry, took tango lessons, and travelled.

Millie was a blessing to those that knew her. We all learned so much from her. We thank God for her presence in our lives.

Our family would like to thank Rene Myrick, Octavia Myrick, and Norma Williams for all the care, love and support that they have given to Millie and to the family.

A memorial service will be held Friday, August 5 at the Cathedral Church of the Advent at 11:00am. A reception will follow at the church. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Cathedral Church of the Advent, and the UAB Richard A. Elkus GI Oncology Research Fund UAB Gift Records, 1720 2nd. Ave. South, AB 1230, Birmingham, AL 35294-0112.