LaNell Johnson Mayes was born in Longview, Texas on September 6, 1923. Her identical twin, LaVern, succumbed to food poisoning at the age of four, and her parents died when she was in her teens. The young LaNell and her older brother moved to Fort Worth to be cared for by their aunt, uncle and grandmother. She formed a deep, lasting bond with Odell Riddell, her cousin and best friend. LaNell graduated Arlington Heights High School and took her first job at Mrs. Baird’s Bakery.
She fell in love with Creighton “Buster” Mayes in Fort Worth, and they married there. The young couple moved to Odessa where Buster began a lifelong career with the Texas & Pacific Railroad. They had one son, Creig, born in 1951. LaNell worked for The Western Company in Odessa until her retirement. Buster died in 1995. Her brother, “Uncle Ned,” died in 1988.
LaNell was a charmer, and you couldn’t resist the twinkle in her pale blue eyes or the warmth of her big smile. She laughed easily, earnestly, infectiously. She found a soul-mate in her daughter-in-law’s mother, Lorene Hines. Their friendship lasted almost four decades, ending with Lorene’s death in 2008. They’d spend hours and hours playing Scrabble, gossiping, drinking iced tea and “smokin’ and jokin’.” Lorene gave up cigarettes decades ago, but LaNell continued to smoke almost two packs a day, and that long ash, begging to be freed from her cigarette, was a permanent fixture nestled between LaNell’s manicured, bejeweled fingers.
LaNell and a cadre of friends hung out at Pojo’s in Odessa for many years until her failing health began to limit her visits. Lots of good times were had by the guys and gals at Pojo’s, and even death won’t stop her connection, as she’ll be buying a round of coffee/iced tea for the house in remembrance of good times spent there.
Her stubborn independence kept her in her home in Odessa for years, probably long after it was prudent to be there; but her son Creig finally coerced her to come to Driftwood, Texas in July 2011, so that consistent care and closer connections to family could be provided. LaNell had a fierce reaction to any discussion of nursing care, and she was able to live out her remaining months in the comfort of her little guest house on Creig’s property, attended by affectionate caregivers Carmel Saucedo and Lea Ann Romo.
LaNell is survived by her loving son Creig and daughter-in-law Randi of Driftwood, her only grandchild, Kendall Lazorchak and husband Paul of Austin, and her cousin Odell and nieces throughout the U.S. She has a great-granddaughter due in July, and that baby girl will only know LaNell, our sweet “Nana,” from the stories that will live on. To know her was to love her.
No services are planned.
