Obituary of Mary Lankford

LANKFORD, Mary Helen Murphy Lankford passed away September 17, 2012. She was born November 19, 1925 in Jacksonville the 3rd of 6 children to James and Florence Murphy. She grew up in the Riverside area and graduated from St. Paul's High School. She married T.J. Lankford on November 24, 1951. They settled in Arlington where they raised their 5 children and were one of the founding families of Christ the King Catholic Church. Mary was a member of the Women's Guild and actively volunteered in the school during the years her children attended. Once her children were grown, she began a career selling real estate and she especially loved helping young people obtain their first homes. In retirement, she and T.J. traveled across the country in their camper making many new friends along the way. Mary's greatest enjoyment was her family and her faith. She cherished the times when her family could all be together. She will be remembered for her patience and kindness to all. She was the best mother her children could have.She never complained in spite of her many health issues over the past few years. She is survived by her husband of 61 years T.J., children: Theresa (Don) Currell, Selah, WA, Peggy, Margie (Dennis) Schmitt, Bedford, TX, Jim (Maria), Palm Harbor,FL, and Kathleen Fischer;grandchildren, Becky, Mark and James Currell; Kelli and Austin Fischer; and Joseph and John Lankford; sisters, Julia Debs and Patricia Kohten, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her 3 brothers, and son-in-law, Charles (Mickey) Fischer. Family will recieve friends on Thursday, September 20, 2012 from 6-8pm with a rosary at 7pm at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, FL. Her funeral mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church, 742 Arlington Road North, Jacksonville, FL on Friday, September 21, 2012. Interment will follow at Arlington Park Cemetery. A reception will be held at the church following the commital.