Beatrice Gregory Lankford, 87

Mrs. Beatrice Gregory Lankford, age 87 of Madison, died at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center after suffering a fall on Saturday, June 14.

A graveside service and interment were conducted Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. in the Dixon Springs Cemetery with Eld. James T. Gibbs officiating.

Born on August 3, 1920 in the Graveltown Community, she was the daughter of the late Herbert Lester & Agnes Hargis Gregory and was also preceded in death by a step-mother, Ida Idumus Gregory.

Mrs. Lankford was married in Tompkinsville, Ky. on June 19, 1937 to the late Roy Beasley Lankford, a Defeated Creek Community native, who died on July 14, 2000.

In addition to her parents and husband, three siblings preceded Mrs. Lankford in death, William Gregory, Ray Gregory and Thelma Gregory Shoulders.

She was employed for many years with May’s Hosery Mill in Nashville.

A member of Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, she was saved and joined Mt. Tabor in August of 1931 at the age of 11. On the day of her baptism, Bro. Willie Taylor preached at the waters edge, followed by her baptism by Bro. N.C. Fuqua.

Mrs. Lankford was an avid reader and was blessed with an amazing ability to recall dates and facts, as well as details of significant and insignificant events.

Surviving are two sisters, Ruth Watson of Lafayette and Pervis Wilburn of Carthage.

Stating on many occasions that she has never doubted her salvation, her family knows that she is at last happy in the arms of her Savior.

The family has requested memorials in Mrs. Lankford’s memory be made to the Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church.