Robbie (Porter) Lanier

 Robbie Porter Lanier, age 81, from Findlay, Georgia, passed away peacefully Monday, July 25, 2022, at Lanier Village Estates in Gainesville.

Robbie was born in Macon to the late William Robert Porter and Alice Louise Sentell Porter. Her beloved Aunt Ba (Maggie Porter) helped raise her. Robbie was a member of Liberty Baptist Church.  She graduated from Pinehurst High School and attended ABAC. She received her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a Master’s in Education from Georgia State University. She was married to artist/architect George Balian for 20 years, and they had three children: Bob, Meg and Perry.

Robbie met every challenge in life head-on, with energy, determination and focused ideals. With a natural talent for any and all social interactions, she often found herself the bridge across generations, language barriers and cultural differences. 

In the weeks to come, people all over the world will be taking a moment to remember Robbie and her Thanksgiving dinners.  Robbie was famous for hosting exchange students, travelers, neighbors and anyone else who found themselves without a placemat during the holidays.  And it was never surprising to see her family scrambling over the corner pieces of her cherished day after Thanksgiving "turkey cheddar pasta casserole"! 

From CEOs and peanut farmers to accounts and homemakers, Robbie spent many years guiding and influencing future generations through her teachings of economics and business at Crisp Academy and Tattnall Square Academy in Macon. Although her classes were infamously rigorous and demanding, it is rumored that a "Milky Way" bar just might get a wayward scholar "off the hook" for a missed assignment. 

Speaking of hooks, in her spare time, Robbie was just as happy night fishing off the dock, leading a movie marathon, driving on an adventurous road trip or hailing a "hackney cab" in London.  Her spectacular personal anecdotes and colorful observation will be carried on by family and friends long into the future.   

Robbie is survived by her children: Bob Balian (Kah-Lee), Meg Balian (T.J.) and Perry Balian; Grandchildren: Sara Balian, Kate Balian, Piper Balian and George Balian-Leverette; and her ‘partner in mischief’ and lifelong friend Sandra Wiley.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, July 30 in Liberty Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made to Liberty Baptist Church, c/o Beverly Peavy, 725 Old Americus Road, Vienna, Georgia 31092.

Brannen-NeSmith Funeral Home of Vienna has charge of arrangements.

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