Mr Lanham worked as a Metal Lather for the Wood Wire Metal Lather Union Local #9 for 30 years. He was a devoted family man, sharing his life with his wife and raising three children. He was a committed Christian and a member of Hughesville Baptist Church. He volunteered as a janitor at Carmody Hills Baptist Church and as a youth worker and bus driver for First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro. He was a Founding Member and Trustee at Marlboro Meadow Baptist Church and he served as a Deacon at Forest Park Baptist Church.

He was son of the late Richard Burns Lanham and the late Harriet Hager Lanham.

He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, Edward Lanham and Kenneth "Bucky" Lanham, two sisters, Thelma Smith and Lois Bradburn, and one daughter-in-law, Jackie Lanham.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Gertrude Sweeney Lanham, one daughter, Frances (Thomas) Graham of Savannah, GA, two sons, Earl Lanham, Jr. of Clinton, MD and Richard Lanham of Miss., one daughter-in-law, Debra Lanham of La Plata, MD, one brother, Robert Lanham of Charlotte Hall, MD, and one sister, Jean Santos of Fla. Also survived by five grandchildren, Katrina Mudd, Rev. Thomas Graham, Erik Lanham, Janet Dodd, and Nicholas Lanham, and seven great-grandchildren.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 31, 2009 from 9-10am at Hughesville Baptist Church, 8505 Leonardtown Road, Hughesville, MD 20637.

A Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 10am at Hughesville Baptist Church.

Rev. Keith Corrick and Rev. Thomas W. Graham, Jr. will officiate.

Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland, MD.

Pallbearers will be Erik and Nicholas Lanham, Devin Gallahan, Thomas Graham III, Rick Mudd, and Chris Graham.

Arrangements provided by Raymond Funeral Service.