Gwendolyn Ann Lankford

We are only keepers of the flame of memories today as we reflect on the life of Gwendolyn Ann Lankford our sister, our aunt, our friend, God’s Child. The road of any relationship is fraught with peaks and valleys, joys and disappointments but always sprinkled with a generous dose of love. It is in love that we share with you glimpses of her life. Gwen, as she was affectionately called, was born the 5th of 7 children on June 24, 1950 to Thomas and Elizabeth Lankford. She was a child of bubbles and joy. Their lives were spent in the suburban town of West Caldwell, NJ. The family was giving and caring and that was repeated in the life of the 2nd generation and definitely in the life of Gwen. She loved gift giving and took delight in finding the right gift to a “higher level.” Gwen loved crafting things, painting, and art. Her last project was that of apron painting and we who love her all have a hand painted apron which typify our idiosyncrasies she recognized and memorialized for us. She loved collecting dolls, heart boxes, and watches. Gwen loved life. Gwendolyn was educated in the public schools of West Caldwell, NJ. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Oakwood College in Huntsville, AL. She lived and worked in Pittsburgh and Willow Grove, PA. She then moved to Baltimore, MD. She worked as director of the Daycare Center of Baltimore Junior Academy for 8 years. Then she became a teacher at the same institution for 18 years. She received the coveted Zapara Award for Excellence in Teaching. She has also done advanced studies at several institutions. Gwendolyn accepted Jesus as her personal Savior in her home church in Montclair, NJ. She was a member of the Berea Temple Seventh-Day Adventist Church from 1976 until she fell asleep in Jesus on June 22, 2006. She was active in the church choir and thoroughly savored the chorus experience. Gwen perfected the art of shopping. She believed that presentation was a key to demonstrating beauty in color. She perfected the art of laughter and family and believed it was a key to demonstrating God’s personality through her, increasing her contacts in her world. Gwen loved her Justin and Christina, children of her deceased sister Jacquelin, as her own. She adored her nephews Ryan and Troy and her nieces, Duenya, Atiya and Rasheeda. She chose to adopt in spirit Antoine Fleming, a family friend, as the son she added to her heart. She loved the students she taught or interacted with and was as delighted with their accomplishments as if they were her own children. Gwen leaves in her photo memory snapshots of: her loving sisters, D. Tami Tillman of Philadelphia, PA, Joan Newman of Charlotte, NC, Minnie Smith (Husband Keith) of Baltimore, MD, Paula Lankford-Howard (Husband James) of Alexandria, VA; and one brother, Thomas Lankford Jr. of Baltimore, MD. There are also shots of adopted sisters, Cassie Le’mon-Johnson of Pittsburgh, PA, Donna Green (Husband Raymond) of Baltimore, MD, Dorine Robinson of Baltimore, MD, Joy Ferguson-Pratt (Husband Mathian) of Freeport, Grand Bahamas, Melva Brown, of Baltimore, MD and many other relatives and friends. Gwen has traveled extensively from California to Bermuda and several trips to the Bahamas. She will be remembered for her final comment before her lapse into 3 weeks of unconsciousness, “Don’t worry, God always takes care of me.” At 7:30 pm on June 22, 2006 God in loving care took back the breath of life on loan to her. God’s plan includes a return of her breath. We thank God that we, like Gwen, trust Him to continue to take care of her.

Tributes

Gwendolyn Ann Lankford

June 24, 1950 - June 22, 2006