Everett Lankford

LANKFORD, EVERETT CLAYTON.A memorial service will be held Monday, July 2, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at LaGrone Funeral Chapel for Everett Clayton Lankford who passed away June 26, 2012. Rev. Garry Schwalk and Rev. Richard Grisham will conduct the service. The family will receive friends at LaGrone Funeral Chapel from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 1, 2012.
Everett was born October 12, 1915 in Como, TX to Elton Lankford and Lena M. Davidson Lankford. Following his mothers death in 1924, his father and five children moved to Hagerman, NM where Elton later married Mrs. Eva Owens.
Everett will be remembered by his son, John Royce Lankford and wife Jan of Roswell, and his daughter, Barbara Bubbles Carlson and her husband Stan of Alto, NM grandchildren Sean Lankford of Roswell, Shannon Lankford and wife Ann at the Thailand Embassy with the U.S. State Department, Meredith Forsyth and husband Brett of Dallas, TX, Michael Breeden and wife Nanette of Rowlett, TX, Rick Breeden and wife Tami of Albuquerque, NM, Colette Whitlock and husband Lee of Houston, TX and Chris Carlson and wife Amy of Houston, TX fifteen greatgrandchildren, and a host of other dear family members and friends.
Everett was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, his wife, Opal of 72 years, a daughter, Nancy E. Breeden, brothers, Ray Lankford and Royce Lankford, sisters Florene Menefee, Delpha Hugie, and Theda Lankford.
Everett graduated from Hagerman High School in 1933 and attended New Mexico A M in Las Cruces, playing basketball for the Aggies until illness forced him to return home. He married Opal Hicks in Roswell on January 30, 1935. Everett was an active member of First Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School and participating in Brotherhood and other church organizations. He and Opal became members of Bethel Baptist Church in 2005. He was active in Boy Scouts, an Assistant Scout Master of Troup 99, attended the Philmont Scout Ranch and was a member of the Order of the Arrow. Everett was a member of The Masonic Lodge and Master of Lodge 18 in 1958. He was High Priest of Columbia Chapter 7, a Royal Arch Mason, served two years as Secretary of the State DeMolay Association, and received the DeMolay Cross of Honor and the DeMolay Legion of Honor.
He was the owner and operator of a service station in Hagerman, he worked for Prices Creamery, Southwestern Public Service, was an insurance agent, and retired from the New Mexico State Employment Security Commission as an insurance representative.
Immediately following his 90th birthday, he and Opal decided to drive to Houston, TX to surprise their grandchildren and welcome a greatgrandson into the world. Their unannounced arrival on the birthday of their fourteenth greatgrandchild was truly a shock to the family. Everett loved to travel throughout the United States visiting family and friends. He had several memorable trips to Texas, Tennessee, Canada, Hawaii, Bogota, Colombia, and the Philippine Islands.

Athletics played an important role in his life. He loved to play basketball and tennis as a young man and during his middle and older years he enjoyed golf and bowling. Everett was very proud of his Senior Olympics activities. He was the New Mexico 8 Ball Gold Medalist five times and was the National Shuffle Board Gold Medalist in 2011. Forty two and card games were enjoyed by Everett and Opal, especially during the later years. They enjoyed entertaining friends and their childrens friends in their home.
He lived a very full and active life and was blessed with many friends, loving family, and many opportunities. He will be missed however, it is a blessing to know he is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and with family members and friends who have gone before him.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Sean Lankford, Shannon Lankford, Brett Forsyth, Michael Breeden, Rick Breeden, Chris Carlson and Lee Whitlock.
Friends may make memorials to the New Mexico Baptist Childrens Home, P.O. Box 629, Portales, NM 88130, or the LankfordBreeden Scholarship Fund, E.N.M.U. Roswell Foundation, P.O. Box 3017, Roswell, NM 88202, the J.O.Y. Center of Roswell 1822 Montana North, Roswell, NM, 88201, or the charity of their choice.

Service

Funeral

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Monday, July 2, 2012
3:00 p.m.

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

P.O. BOX 629
PORTALES, NM  88130


ENMU Roswell Foundation
Roswell, NM  88202


Roswell, NM  88201