Julia Anne Lanham Slappey

Julia Anne Lanham Slappey was born in Rome, Georgia on February 19, 1921, the only child of Henderson Lovelace Lanham and Anne Phinizy Lanham. Her father was a United States Congressman serving from January 1947-his death in 1957. Her father and mother loved the Lord, and Julia Anne gave her heart to the Lord as a young girl. She has followed Him faithfully all her life. She has said repeatedly, "God has cared for me all my life and He won't stop now!" She lived her life to glorify her Savior and Lord.

She married Thomas Goulding Slappey, Jr. on July 26, 1941, and they had four children, a son, T.G. Slappey, III, who died shortly after his birth, and three daughters, Susan Slappey Salley (Rotie), Peggy Elaine Slappey, and Barbara Ellen Slappey, who died on December 30, 2015. Julia Anne has two grandsons, James R Salley,IV (Rotie) and Thomas Henderson Salley. She has four great-grandchildren Emily, Evan and Hartley Salley from Rotie and his wife Catherine and Lola Salley from Thomas and his wife Heather.

Julia Anne lived in Albany, GA most of her life and was a member of First United Methodist Church all of her married life—it was also the church of her husband's parents so the Slappey family has a long history of serving the Lord at First United Methodist Church in Albany, GA. She served the church as the financial secretary for a number of years and taught Bible studies and was an active member in Sunday School.

In addition to her work as a financial secretary, Julia Anne also was a bookkeeper for several businesses, and she worked at the Public Library in Albany for 19 years cataloging books until her retirement at the age of 78!

Julia Anne's main legacy comes from her tireless work to begin a ministry to disabled citizens in Albany, GA. This was motivated by the birth of her daughter, Barbara, who was severely disabled and lived in various nursing homes for most of her life. Julia Anne earnestly prayed that the Lord would give usefulness and purpose to her precious daughter's life. God answered that prayer when Julia Anne, Thomas and other friends and committed people started "Happy House" to serve the disabled in the Albany area. God blessed the ministry and provided for every need through the years until it grew to the point where it was incorporated into a ministry known as Wesley Glen sponsored by the United Methodist Church in South Georgia. The ministry, birthed by Julia Anne's prayer and sustained by other prayer warriors who assisted the ministry, is still thriving today! Julia Anne received the Albany Woman of the Year Award, chosen by her fellow citizens in 1954, for her work with people who have special needs.

The last eight years of her life Julia Anne resided near or with her daughter in the Clemson/Easley area of upstate SC.

Julia Anne was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her life was characterized by faith, compassion, gratitude, courage, generosity,optimism, wisdom, determination, grace, charm and love. The Bible was her guide for living, the Gospel message her passion and prayer her holy occupation. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her!

A celebration of Julia Anne's life will be 11:00 AM Monday, July 23, 2018 at First United Methodist Church, Albany, GA.

Memorial donations may be made in her honor to the Wesley Glen Ministries, 4580 Mumford Road, Macon, GA 31210 (478-471-3711); or to First United Methodist Church, 307 Flint Avenue, Albany, GA 31701 (229-432-7407).

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central, SC.