Sarah Alice Lankford

Sarah “Alice” Wilson Lankford, 74, passed away after a lengthy illness on Monday, February 6, 2012. She was born March 7, 1937 in Gaston County to the late Lucius and Carrie Mae (Kendall) Wilson. Alice enjoyed watching all sporting events, drawing and doodling, reading, as well as being very creative. Alice was employed with the Gaston Department of Social Services for over 25 years and was an active member of the Myers Memorial Methodist Church and choir. She enjoyed singing and sang in the singing group (Silvertones). Alice loved being around her friends and family and was deeply and affectionately loved by all who knew her. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend and lived each day to its fullest (even in sickness). Alice will be greatly missed.

Alice is survived by her husband of 51 years, Billy Lankford of Gastonia, NC; 4 daughters, Leta Mendoza (Adam) of Jacksonville, FL, Libby Clark (Dan) of Altoona, PA, Laura Lankford Medlin (Eddie) of Chapel Hill, NC, Linda Sellers (Bill) of Cherryville, NC; five grandchildren, Addison, Baillie, Savannah, Zach, Josh and her “adopted” children, Jean and Phillip Liu, Stephanie Lowe, Jennifer Liu and Kevin Liu; great granddaughter, Sophia Lynn Bedford; sister, Nancy Hughes of Gastonia, brother, Steve Wilson of Asheboro, NC.

Alice was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Sue Annette Lankford.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Myers Memorial Methodist Church in Gastonia. Burial will follow at Gaston Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, February 10, 2012 at Carothers Funeral Home, 312 West 2nd Ave, Gastonia.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org.

Condolences and fond memories may be offered at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com