Georgia Windham Lankford

Georgia Gale Windham Lankford was born in Sheridan, Arkansas on October 19, 1939, the daughter of the late Hill and Edna Cullins Windham. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sheridan and attended First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Sheridan in her adult years. She was a 1957 graduate of Sheridan High School and received her bachelors in education at University of Arkansas at Monticello (A&M). She met her husband Bill while they were both attending A&M and had 49 wonderful years together before his death on May 4th, 2009. Georgia graduated as Magna-Cum Laude in August of 1984 from UALR with her Masters in Reading. She received many continuing education certificates through the years. She was selected as outstanding educator K-6 by the Grant County Chamber of Commerce in the school year 1984-1985 and 1999-2000. She received the Phoebe Apperson Hearts Outstanding Educator in 1986 by the Sheridan PTA and was Walmart Teacher of the Year in 2000. She was a very patriotic person and was named the American Legion Auxiliary Unit Member of the year in 2006. She was a cub scout leader in her earlier years and until her illness she was a active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Retired Teachers Association, Page Turners Book Club, American Legion Auxiliary Post 30, Grant County Garden Club, First Landmark Golden Agers and Class of 57 Golden Girls. In every organization/club that she belonged to she gave 100% and they could always count on her for hard work. She taught for 40 years with 39 years of that being the 4th grade in the Sheridan School District. She remembered her students from the 1st class she taught until the last; her students as adults today say "she was their favorite teacher" she touched many lives not only with the students but with her fellow teachers. Before her retirement in 2000 she was one of the "older teachers" and they considered her a "mother mentor." Her interest included antiques(shopping & decorating with), flowers in her yard, crossword puzzles, travel and bird watching. She enjoyed baking cookies with her daughters every Christmas and making baskets & trays of goodies to take to the elderly friends around town and for the kids to take to their work. She enjoyed the simple things in life and though times could be tough she said with hard work and dedication anything was possible. Even when she was diagnosed with cancer she kept the positive attitude and said she couldn't feel sorry for herself she had lived a good, blessed life. She was a dedicated Wife, Mother and Friend. Mrs. Lankford died Saturday, May 5, 2012 at her home in Sheridan, surrounded by her family, at the age of 72. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband WR "Bill" Lankford, brothers, Roy Windham and Tommy Windham and sister Mildred Gilbert. Survivors include her son, Lane Lankford and wife Donna, daughters, Leslie Lankford and Laurette Williamson and husband Tim, all of Sheridan; grandchildren Hayley Lankford, Jacob Lankford & William Guffy. Brothers & Sisters n Law and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 2 p.m. at First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Sheridan with Bro. John Mooney, Bro. Shawn Hill and Michael Walton officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday evening from 5-8 p.m. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery in Sheridan. Memorials may be made to American Legion Post #30, P.O. Box 672, Sheridan, Ark. 72150 and Lost Creek Cemetery, P.O. Box 514, Sheridan, Arkansas 72150. Pallbearers are some of her former 4th grade students; Herbie Waymack, Ross Mote, Roger Rasico, Scott Davis, Jody Lowery, Gary Don Easley, Steve Threlkeld and Randy Springer. Honorary Pallbearers are her dear "Golden Girls" from the class of 57. The family would like to extend thanks to the Dr's & Nurses at the Winston Clinic & UAMS, Arkansas Hospice - Nurse Kelly Lee & CNA's and her special loving caregivers; Michelle Metzger, Becky Lindsey, Rose Lunsford and Betty Wallingsford. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870) 942-1306. To sign the online guestbook, www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.