Mr. Carl Carlton Lankford, 88, a lifelong resident of Cherryville, NC passed away on Friday, August 19, 2022 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Carl was born in Gaston County, NC on October 24, 1933 a son of the late Odus M. Lankford and Myrtle Sellers Lankford. He spent most of his working years in textiles, first at Carlton Yarn Mill and later at Howell Manufacturing. Upon his retirement, he became a familiar face at Harris Teeter where he enjoyed working for 13 more years. Carl was a member of Second Baptist Church in Cherryville. Since becoming homebound, due to his health, he always looked forward to seeing the weekly sermon on video which was delivered to him by faithful church members and friends.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Bobbie Rabb Lankford; a daughter, Misty Seward; and three sisters, Hazel Lankford, Shirley Tutherow and Faye Earley.
Survivors include his three daughters, Anita L. Pfeifer; Jonnie L. Conner (Charlie) all of Cherryville; Tammi L. London (Randy) of Monroe; a son, David Brown (Debbie) of Elkin; and a son-in-law Tre' Seward (Cassidy) of Rock Hill, SC. He was the proud "Paw Paw" of eight grandchildren, Dr. Joshua R. Dellinger, April D. Yoder (Eric), Amanda C. Emmerling (Luke), Holly C. Skibo (Josh), Ryan London (Paula), Jennifer L. Simpson (Chad), Lewis Seward and Tabitha B. Baxter (Eric); eleven great grandchildren, Elias Yoder, Conner and Addison Emmerling, Will and Max Skibo, Bella and Ellie London, Lawson and London Simpson, Kian and Naomi Baxter; a sister, Ruth Greene; a brother, Forest Lankford. Also surviving are many special nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express a special thank you to Carl's caregiver Maria Matheson and to Hospice of Cleveland County for the care they provided.
A celebration of life service will be held at 3:00PM on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Second Baptist Church in Cherryville with Rev. Jerry Lail and Dr. Bill Lowe officiating. The body will be placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the service.
The family will greet friends in the fellowship hall following the service.
Burial will be in Cherryville City Memorial Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 or to Second Baptist Church, 201 Houser Street N. Houser Street, Cherryville, NC 28021.
A guest register is available at www.stameycherryvillefuneralhome.com
Stamey-Cherryville Funeral Home & Cremation Service is serving the Lankford family.