Jerry Powell Lanier, 70, of Charleston, SC, passed away August 16, 2022, following a courageous struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Jerry grew up in Chadbourn, NC, before attending Pembroke University and earning a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After a brief teaching stint at UNC-Charlotte, he began a long and distinguished career with the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Service Officer, eventually serving as the American ambassador to Uganda and chargé d’affaires in Sudan. He also served in the Philippines, Thailand, Bosnia, Germany, Kenya, and Ghana, as well as multiple assignments in Washington, DC.
Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Buell Lanier and Helen Lanier (Giard), of Chadbourn, and a brother, Buell Edward (Eddie) Lanier, also of Chadbourn. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Catherine Kannenberg, of Charleston, SC; and children Julianne Hollingsworth (Robert), of Burlington, NC; Peter Lanier (Emily), of Silver Spring, MD; Claire Lanier of Charleston, SC; Jordan Lanier (Erin) of Charleston, SC; brothers Terry Lanier (Ann) of Whiteville, NC; Gary Wayne Lanier (Becky) of Angier, NC; and former spouse Jackie Lanier, of Charleston, SC. Jerry was a loving grandfather to Sierra, Anna, Lucy, Penny, Henry, and Nora.