Born of Robert Henry Carter and Claire Pearl Haggard Carter in Oklahoma City on November 16, 1937,
she was an extraordinarily bright girl with a voracious appetite for reading. She was active in her church,
Olivet Baptist, and it was there she first started playing the piano which was to become the major focus
of her life’s work.
She went to Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma where she majored in English
Literature. In her senior year, on a cold day in March, she met a local boy with broad shoulders and a
big smile named Jimmy Dean Lanier. Neither one ever looked at another after that day. Within a year
they married and for fifty three years were inseparable. With Jim, Glenda bore three children, Robert
Dean, Lisa Carol, and Cherisse Gay.
Early in her career Glenda taught 5th grade at Fairview Elementary in Bakersfield, California. She played
piano at church and always had a few students. After an illness forced her to give up elementary
teaching, she shifted her professional focus to the piano, expanding her studio to 40+ students.
After getting her children off to college, Jim and Glenda moved to southern California where she seized
upon an opportunity, at 46 years old, to go back to school and complete a Master’s degree in Piano
Performance and Pedagogy at Cal State University in Fullerton. She graduated in 1988. Armed with her
academic credential, a deepened picture for the work and a joyful confidence in her own capacities she
dedicated herself to the practice and perfection of her teaching method.
In 2001 Glenda and Jim moved to Allen, Texas. Her reputation spread by word of mouth as the parents
of Allen discovered in her not only a high caliber piano pedagogue but a counselor and mentor to their
children as she demonstrated her abiding interest in everything her students did and thought.
Her studio quickly filled up and Mrs. Lanier became a personality of note in the local music teachers
association. Her clear, practical advice, affirming kindness, commitment to professionalism and the
placement of the student’s interest above all else distinguished her in the music community. It wasn’t
long before she was working at the state level .
Here is a brief bio describing her professional accomplishments and contributions.
Glenda taught piano in California for 20 years and was actively involved in MTAC and Pomona MTA. She served as Secretary, Theory Chair, President, and Director for Pomona MTA before coming to Texas in 2001.
In Plano MTA, Glenda has served as Recital and Festival Chair, Secretary, Student Affiliate Chair, and Theory Chair over the past ten years. She was nominated for TMTA Teacher of the Year in 2009 and 2011 by Plano and other associations. She maintained a private studio with 25-30 students in Lucas, Texas. As a devoted church musician, she has helped her students learn some of the skills required for their own churches.
Inspired by the Student Affiliate program of TMTA, Glenda has entered her students in many activities: Theory, Original Composition, Publications, World of Music, the Performance Contest, the June Leondar Chamber Music Contest, and the remarkable SA Ensemble Program. Her students have also entered Convention Projects each year.
Glenda was the SA Student Recognition Coordinator from 2004-2007, the Theory Coordinator from 2008-2011. In 2012 she served SA as the Communications Coordinator. She was serving presently as the TMTA Vice President for Student Activities.
Throughout her marriage she faithfully supported her husband’s work through her piano playing at the
various churches where Jim was pastor. For the last 6 years she could be heard playing the piano for
Sunday services at the First Baptist Church of Lucas.
Glenda touched many lives with her music, her guidance, and her friendship. Throughout all her years
she explored her belief that “Music is For Life”. In the raising of her children, the mentoring of her
students, the fellowship with her peers, the warmth exchanged with her friends, the communion with
her husband, she enlightened us with her thoughts, her feelings, and her deeds. She challenged us to
seek out and express the music of life and in the music, to discover ourselves. It was the artist’s way,
the path of beauty, and for all who followed her gentle urging we find that we are more truly ourselves
for knowing her. She pointed us toward the light which illuminates our future even still, as it did each
day she stood beside us.
Glenda’s immediate family includes:
Husband Jim Lanier of Lucas, Texas (originally Shawnee, Oklahoma)
Son, Robert Lanier of Louisville, Kentucky
Grandson Jesse Lanier of Louisville, Kentucky
Daughter, Lisa Lanier Allen of Allen, Texas
Son-in-Law Steven Klitgaard of Allen, Texas
Granddaughter Ashley Allen of Allen , Texas
Granddaughter Ariel Allen of Denton, Texas
Daughter, Cherisse Lanier of San Pedro, California
Son-in-Law Adrian Baer of San Pedro, California
Grandson Zachary VanderMolen of Santa Cruz, California
Granddaughter Ciara Baer of San Pedro, California
Granddaughter Mahalia Baer of San Pedro, California
Sister Carolle Seaton of Pensacola, Florida.
Cousin Lloyd Record of Tamrindo, Costa Rica
2nd Cousin Benjamin Record of Los Angelos, California
Aunt Joanne Glascock of Orlando, Florida
The family has requested that instead of flowers contributions can be made to the Texas
Music Teachers Association Education Foundations program. “When you support the TMTA,
you are contributing towards a more musical tomorrow through programs that nurture the
creation, performance, study and teaching of music” - which is exactly what Glenda was
passionate about. If you wish to donate to the TMTA Education Foundation program in
Glenda's name, you may do so here using a credit card (or find it at www.tmta.org ). Scroll
down and select Foundation Donation\Individual. Select the General Trust Fund. Select
Memorial. Any amount may be donated.
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