Edna Earley Lankford

Edna Earley Lankford, 88, of Fairview, died Thursday, August 19, 2010, at Mission Hospitals. A native of Buncombe County, she was a daughter of the late William Craton and Julia Wilson Earley. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Thomas L. Lankford who died in 1984 and a daughter, Patricia Lankford. Mrs. Lankford was retired from Buncombe County Schools where she had worked in the Reynolds High School and Fairview Elementary School cafeterias. A member of the Baptist faith, she was the last of 16 children and loved working in her flower garden. Survivors include two sons, Larry Lankford and wife Lois of Fairview and Gerald Lankford of the home; four grandchildren, Sherry (Charlie) Watson, Kristy (Randy) Davis, Mark and Michael Lankford; four great-grandchildren, Kendall and Keaton Davis and Kayla and Kelsey Watson; several nieces and nephews and special friend, Jerry Ann Culbreth. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Saturday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Tony Parham officiating. Burial will follow at Emma's Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 - 11:00 am Saturday prior to the service. Flowers are accepted or donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one's choice. Special appreciation goes out to the staff of the 7th floor at Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals for the care they provided.