Melody Gaye (Linsley) Lanham

Melody “Gaye” (Linsley) Lanham, age 69, of Abilene, TX, passed away peacefully at her home after a long and courageous battle with cancer on Monday, May 18, 2015. Gaye was born on July 24, 1945 in Aspermont, TX. Gaye grew up in Aspermont and moved to Abilene in the 1960s.

Gaye married the love of her life, James (Jim) Lanham in 1984. The couple were married for 31 years and lived in Abilene with their dogs Trixie, Minnie, & Dolly. Gaye has two sons, Marshall Williams (Linda) and Darryl Williams.

In the 1970’s, Gaye worked alongside her sister, Kaye Lanham, at the pet store they owned called the Tropical Fish Haven. She then worked for Dr. Max King during the 1980s before retiring. After that she worked alongside her husband at the SAW-D Ranch. She then spent many years taking care of her grandchildren and great-nieces. She was a blessing and Angel to her great-niece Taylor, who has Autism. She cared for Taylor since she was a baby and loved her dearly.

Gaye was known for love of animals and love of arts and crafts. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her.

Gaye was the beloved wife of Jim Lanham, devoted mother of Marshall Williams & wife Linda, and Darryl Williams. Loving Grandmother to Tim Williams, Cara Williams, Mike Williams, Christian Williams, Byron Lanham, Nathan Lanham, Tim Reuter, Shawn Reuter, Katie Reuter, Michael Lanham, Ronald Lanham, James Lanham, Travis Lanham, and Matt Lanham. A loving sister to Kaye Lanham, and her brother Ernest Calvin (Jr.) Linsley and his wife Joyce. Gaye was the loving great-grandmother of three great-grandchildren. Gaye was also very special to numerous nieces and nephews, and especially to her great nieces Megan Lanham, Morgan Trevino, Taylor Trevino, and great-nephew, Justin Lanham. Preceding Gaye in death were her parents James "Red" Linsley and Ernestine Baker Butler and a brother-in-law Steve Lanham.

Family and friends will gather at the Piersall-Benton Funeral Home, 733 Butternut, Abilene, TX, on Thursday, May 21st for Visitation from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be Friday, May 22nd, at 1:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 2801 Antilley Rd, Abilene, TX. Interment will follow at the Potosi Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family request that Memorials be made to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., Attn: Donor Relations & Services, c/o Gaye Lanham, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309; or Autism Speaks, c/o Taylor Trevino, 1060 State Road, 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540, or to Zion Lutheran Church, 2801 Antilley Road, Abilene, TX 79606.