Margaret Lane

Margaret Lou Blanton Lane, a lifelong resident of Waco, passed away on February 13, 2016, with her family at her bedside. Services will be held at 2:00pm, Wednesday, February 17, at St. Albans Episcopal Church with the Reverend Aaron Zimmerman officiating. There will be a private family burial on Friday, February 19, at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 16 at Oak Crest Funeral Home.

Margaret Lou, or Mart Lou, as many affectionately called her, was born July 13, 1922, in Waco, Texas to Billie Campbell and Edward Lee Blanton. She and her sister, Mary, were raised by very loving parents who cherished their girls. The Blantons had each established successful businesses in downtown Waco – Blanton’s Flower Shop (1019 Austin Ave.) and Bauer- McCann, a fine ladies dress shop (corner of 8th & Austin). She grew up learning the work ethic and challenges of owning your own business and continued working in the floral business until her 70s. She loved flowers and never went without glorious blossoms in her home.

Margaret Lou graduated from Waco High School in 1939 and Baylor University in 1943. She pledged Delta Alpha Pi, which later became Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, when Baylor brought National fraternities and sororities on campus. While at Baylor, she met her true love, John Wesley (known by his friends as Sammy) Lane and they were married on March 25, 1944. Upon his induction into the US Navy, the couple moved to San Diego, CA where Dr. Lane served as head of the dental departments at the Naval Air Station. After his service in the Navy, they moved back to Waco where he established his dental practice. Margaret Lou became active in the Central Texas Dental Society, St. Albans Episcopal Church and many civic and cultural volunteer activities in Waco including the Junior League where she also served on the Executive Board, Evangelia Settlement Child Care Board of Directors, American Red Cross, Historic Waco, Hillcrest Hospital Auxiliary, and delivered Meals on Wheels with her husband for 15 years. She also loved entertaining and knew how to be a most gracious hostess.

They had an exemplary marriage, modeling true and everlasting love. You rarely saw one without the other! They enjoyed attending Baylor football games, waterskiing with their two daughters and friends, traveling, and enjoying weekly activities with their group of treasured lifelong friends. Favorite summer activities included Lakeway or Texoma for boating and Colorado at a favorite family home near Golden, CO. Margaret Lou was always completely dedicated to her daughters and in later years, her grandchildren became her pride and joy.
Margaret Lou and Sammy traveled to Europe many times with her sister, Mary, and brother-in-law, Jimmie Boggess. After Mary’s premature death, they continued traveling with Jimmie and his second wife, Rusty Boggess, whom they dearly loved also.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Wesley (Sammy); parents, Billie and Ed Blanton; sister, Mary Blanton Boggess and brother-in-law, Jimmie Boggess.

Her sweet, feisty spirit, sparkling blue eyes, and happy smile will be missed by her family she leaves behind. Survivors include her beloved daughters Peggy Lane and husband, Keith Hopkins of Waco and Lee Lane Haveman and husband, Dennis of Crossville, TN; grandson Wes Lane of Austin and granddaughter Lane London and husband Mike Thornton of Lubbock; and eight great grandchildren. She is also survived by her niece, Meg Boggess Twombly of Dallas; nephew, Holly Boggess and wife, Libby, of Dallas; sister-in-law, Rusty Boggess and cousin, Evelyn Morrow of Houston.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to her wonderful caregivers at Bluebonnet Home Care, Providence Hospice, and the staff at Wesley Woods for all of the love and attention they have provided.
Memorials may be made to St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Meals & Wheels, the American Heart Association or your charity of choice.