Jeff Lanier

Jeffrey “Jeff” Lanier, affectionately known as “Fuzzy,” of Statesboro, passed away on September 15, 2026, at the age of 63.

Born in Statesboro on September 20, 1962, he was the son of the late Doy Franklin Lanier and Lois Lanier.

Jeff was a graduate of Statesboro High School, class of 1980. He was also a graduate of Georgia Southern University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. Married in 1985, he and his wife, Janet, lived in Savannah, Georgia before moving to Lawrenceville, Georgia, in 1988. They returned to Statesboro in 2001. He started his crop insurance career in Statesboro as an adjuster with the Federal Government before spending 30+ years with Chubb Insurance Company, formerly Rain and Hail, as a Field Manager. Jeff was a member of First Baptist Church of Statesboro where he was active in the J. Robert Smith Sunday School class and a member of the Rotary Club of Statesboro.

Throughout his life, Jeff enjoyed working on the farm, where he raised cattle and crops. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and Sunday afternoon pickleball with his family. Jeff was a selfless person who was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Doy Franklin Lanier; his youngest brother, Stacy Lanier; his father-in-law, Billy Rushing; his brother-in-law, Gid Smith; his paternal grandparents, John R. and Lucille Lanier; his maternal grandparents, Margaret Rowland and James Roy Miller; and his beloved dog, Duke.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Janet Rushing Lanier; his daughter, Kacie Lanier; two sons, Taylor Lanier and Cody Lanier (future daughter-in-law, Jin Ah Park); his mother, Lois Lanier; his brother, Tim Lanier (Sonya); his sister, Vickie Lanier Smith; his aunt and uncle, Faye and Ed Szczepanik; mother-in-law, Hilda Rushing; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Deborah R. and Erik Kauber; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at Statesboro First Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at the church on Saturday.

Interment will be private.

Pallbearers will be long-time friends Wade Hodges, Jeff Pope, Ron Zampini, Marty Clay, David Reid, and Don Wakefield.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA. 30459 or to Rockin’ Out Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation, P.O. Box 2109, Statesboro, GA 30459.

Anderson-Newman Funeral Homes, Kennedy-Hooks Chapel, of Metter, is in charge of the arrangements.