Obituary Elizabeth C. Lankford Mrs. Elizabeth C. Lankford of Elkin died unexpectedly February 20, 2005. She was 84. She was the daughter of the late Jarvis Bynum and Ila Warren Church of Roaring River, and the widow of R. H. Lankford, Jr. To this marriage were born three sons: Robert H., III of Elkin; T. Barrett and wife Rebecca of Greensboro; and John F. and wife Lynda of Raleigh. Survivors also include four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and two brothers, William Church of Winston-Salem and Samuel Church and wife Lucille of Roaring River. Mrs. Lankford was a graduate of Elkin High School and Woman's College now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Class of 1940. She was a proud and faithful alumna. She was also active in Elkin civic and church affairs, being past president of the Hospital Auxiliary and of the W.S.C.S. She was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church. In her younger years she was, in her leisure time, often on the golf course, where she excelled. She was a generous hostess, an amateur artist in pastels and water colors, an expert at needlepoint, and a valued partner and formidable opponent at the bridge table. But first and foremost, she was a loving wife to her husband until his death in 1980, and the best mother any sons could have wished for, always. The family will receive friends at Hodges Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 7:00 to 8:30, with a private graveside service to follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville on Friday morning at 11:00. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Elizabeth Lankford will be held at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Lankford would want her friends to be kind to each other, and by word and deed help heal this fragile world.
