In Memoriam
of
Lannie Geneva Barnhill Abrams Hackett

Lannie Barnhill Abrams Hackett never did anything in her life that was not done to the best of her ability and her tasks were numerous in 90 years of living. She was responsible for introducing many "firsts" to her friends and family in Robeson County as she was well traveled and educated.

Lannie Barnhill was born May 05, 1911 in Marion SC and saw her world metamorphose from one century to another. The family moved and she grew up in Columbus County, NC where she graduated from Evergreen High School. After obtaining a business degree, she married Jesse Paul Abrams and they had one son, Jimmy Paul Abrams. The marriage ended prematurely and she returned home to raise her son in Fairmont, NC.

Many changes were made during her lifetime in the name of "progress".  Many must have caused ruminations of doubt and fear at times. She saw wars and lost precious family members to their cause. Her mother was left a widow all to soon because of an incurable illness which was complicated by grief over the loss of their only son. World War II also left Lannie a widowed mother with a young son to raise. She managed, she survived and she taught. 

Early in her professional life she ran several restaurants. The first was the "Tally-Ho" in Columbus County to which she drove to daily from Fairmont. When that closed she ran the restaurant in the old Goodyear hotel, later there was the "Bamboo Cafeteria" and "Lannie's Deli". This was the first delicatessen in Robeson County and way ahead of its time. Her creative talents also lead her to have "The Azalea Flower Shop" (she never called it a florist) where she introduced the wrist corsage to young ladies of the area in the 50's when they wore strapless evening gowns to proms and had no where appropriate to pin a corsage. This led to her becoming interested in weddings as she made bridal bouquets, accessories and decorated the churches.

In 1961 she married Frank D. Hackett, a local attorney. She worked intermittently as his secretary for years and also supplemented her creativity by directing weddings where she did everything for the bride from the flowers to the wedding cake as well as all the other party food.

She taught many people in her lifetime. From Robeson Technical Institute she taught classes in cooking and etiquette. Young ladies knew how to set the table properly, prepare and serve a meal to her guests with southern dignity and grace. Students, friends and family stood by her elbow as she crafted a flower into a corsage, bouquet or award winning arrangement. Several have gone into business for themselves from the tutelage and support of Lannie Hackett.

 Others will remember her for her beautifully decorated wedding cakes that were like no others. Instead of the usual plastic bride and groom standing "knee-deep in icing" or bells buried, which she abhorred, she would use the brides flowers to create a nosegay, which sat atop the cake with ribbon streamers in the brides chosen colors. This was the only color allowed on the cake. The icing was always snow white as it was the "brides" cake. She would make icing roses and other flowers for hours, all in white, to be placed ever so gently on the cake. Champagne fountains flowed from the center of some while others soared to unbelievable heights and were surrounded by additional cakes that would serve a thousand or more guests.

The family always cherished her contribution of birthday cakes which,  were always unique and designed with the particular celebrant's hobbies or interest in mind. There were Raggedy Ann cakes, ballerinas twirling or multitudes of flowers for the girls, train cakes, Spider Man cakes and clowns for the boys. Easter brought the assured coconut lamb cake that was too beautiful to cut setting in a bed of green "grass" where jelly bean eggs were hidden. Christmas was filled with cookies of every shape and flavor imaginable but always there were orange balls, rum balls, date balls as well as the ever-present thin layer chocolate cake and freshly grated coconut cake. A few of the more fortunate "chosen" were gifted with her secret cheese balls.

Growing flowers and maintaining a beautiful garden was her pride and joy. Her delight began with the first blooms of the Forsythia and lasted until the last Tiger Lily faded. She belonged to the North Carolina Orchid Society and won many local, state and national competitions with her natural skills in the greenhouse as a grower and talented floral arranger. She always cautioned anyone who cared to listen to "always hide your mechanics" as she pressed home the point by making certain that nothing left her hand until perfect. She knew the doctrine of every church and would remind those that didn't know that "no dirt or ribbon ever goes on the alter" Neither did she believe in the use of ribbons on a formal arrangement. "Let the flowers speak for themselves" she would admonish. "People use ribbon to cover up the inadequacies of the flowers or themselves. Save the ribbons for corsages, and holiday decorations."

Although her work and hobbies took her into the world of many an avaricious individual, none ever felt that they could quite attain the level of uncompromised elegance this southern lady  seemed to enjoy with ease. 

We will miss you Lannie. Thank you for sharing what you knew with all who would listen. Above all things, you were always a respected and educated lady.

In Loving Memory
Lannie Geneva Barnhill Abrams Hackett
Born: May 05, 1911
Departed this life: November 26, 2001

Rest in eternal Peace

Lannie was full of wit and insight that baffled most who knew her. The song you hear playing "Send in the Clowns" was by far her favorite non-church related song. I lay it here in honor of her.