Mr. Joe Dean Lanier Jr., 50, of Joe Road, Mocksville, died Thursday, April 6, 2017 at his home.

He was born Oct. 8, 1966, in New Hanover County to Joe Dean Lanier Sr. and the late Margaret Catherine Nifong Crotts Lanier. He had been employed by Fuller Earthworks and was employed by Lowe’s Home Improvement.  He was a volunteer firefighter with Fork VFD.  He loved the beach, was a surf fisherman and enjoyed cooking and woodworking.

He was also preceded in death by a sister, Catherine Lanier; and a brother, Larry Crotts.

Survivors: his wife, Mary Lanier of the home; his father, of Advance; 2 children, Christy Smith and Gene Smith, both of Mocksville; 3 siblings, Linda Cornatzer of Advance, Cindy Cornatzer (Dale) of Mocksville and Rickey Crotts (Sony) of Southmont; sister-in-law, Shirley Crotts of Lexington; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials: American Heart Assoc., Memorials and Tributes Processing Center, P.O. Box 5216, Glenn Allen, VA  23058-5216; or American Cancer Society, 4-A Oak Branch Dr., Greensboro, 27407.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.