Black History Month: Historian Tonya Lanier
Tonya Lanier at a book signing at Pig City Books. {Contributed photo}
Originally published March 8, 2022.
Tonya Lanier says her years of service exemplify her favorite scripture - Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Recently Tonya Lanier celebrated the release of her book, Lost in the Shuffle II. Lanier’s first book, Lost in the Shuffle I, was written to inform others of the untold history of various residents of Davidson County. Lost in the Shuffle II is a continuation of Lost in the Shuffle I.
“When I wrote the first book I wanted to sit down and talk with a few people who I didn’t know a lot about but who I see often in the community,” Lanier stated in an interview with Davidson Local. “I didn't know where they were born, where they grew up and if they were highly educated or had no education .”
Lanier said each individual has a different story that needs to be told. Persons featured in the book include “local legends” Patsy Bush, Dr. Lacy Caple, Lewis Michael, Sarah Reid, Louise Roman, Bobby Ricks and others who have impacted the community.
The author shared she wasn’t certain about writing a second book, however many people requested it.
“Somebody told me if I write another book, she would wanted to be in it. I found more than enough people to interview. I didn’t get around to everyone due to COVID-19. The book is more stories from our community that we should have documented in some form or fashion.”
In her interviews, Lanier was impressed by the amount of unknown history. “Everybody I sat down with shared some information that I want to continue researching.”
Lanier is also a devoted member of the St. Stephen United Methodist Church where she has held several posts including chair of Church Council, member of Trustees, Historical Committee and an alto voice in the Praise Team. The United Methodist conference and district have benefitted from her servant leadership as a member of the Board of Laity, an alternate delegate to the 2008 General Conference, certified lay speaker, Western North Carolina Archives, 2016 delegate to general and jurisdictional and now after years of service Lanier was named the first African-American to serve as the UMW Conference President. Speak at UMW Sunday. She was celebrated by the UMW as Woman of the year. She also serves as Trustee of Davidson County Community College {Governor’s Appointee.}
Lanier grew up in the Southmont area and has been an active part of the local community for decades. She and her husband, Robert Freeman, live in Lexington and have one adult son, Tavon. They are the proud grandparents of Harper.
Lanier’s says her volunteer work began when leaders within the church recognized her potential. “It started with leaders at my church, St. Stephen UMC, seeing something in me, before I did. They asked me to represent the church at district events and then I was invited to serve as a delegate to the conference.” Lanier hesitated because of a miss-perception of the United Methodist Women. “Because my Saturdays were priceless, almost sacred, I was hesitant to give up one for a group of ole ladies sitting around sipping tea. But they wore me down and I attended a meeting with my two-year-old son and my ten-year-old brother. There was no tea, but lots of mission talk of helping others. I became hooked.”
The full-time legal assistant’s service also extended beyond the United Methodist church. Lanier recently entered the race for Davidson County Commissioner. When Lanier was approached by residents of her ward about running for city council, she was hesitant at first, but with prayer and careful consideration, she entered the race and was elected as a member of the Lexington City Council in 2008. She said she entered the commissioner’s race through a similar process of prayerful consideration.
