Mary Margaret Lankford

Asheville Mary Margaret Black Lankford, 62, of 32 Balm Grove Road, passed away Friday, March 3, 2006 at her home following a period of declining health. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, she was a 1961 graduate of Clyde A. Erwin High School. She was currently employed with Appalachian Technologies and was a member of Pine Burr Park Baptist Church. Mrs. Lankford was the daughter of the late James Arvin Black, Sr. and Mary Rebecca Saltz Black, and was the widow of Jack H. Lankford, who passed away October 3, 2004. She was also preceded in death by her step-mother, Blanche Rice Black. Surviving are her daughter, Rebecca McConnell of Asheville; two step-sons: Jack R. Lankford and wife Teresa of Nokomis, IL and Sam Lankford and wife Deborah of Greensboro; step-daughter, Cynthia Williams and husband Dee of Leicester; two grandchildren: Christopher and Samantha McConnell, 8 step-grandchildren; two sisters: Nelline Davis of Asheville and Jane Gragg of Leicester; three brothers: Dewey and James Black of Weaverville and Bobby Black of Etowah; and a special aunt, Evelyn Masters of Asheville. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, with Rev. Gary Haynes and Rev. David Gentry officiating. The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 Sunday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. The family wishes to thank all of Marys friends and family, as well as the staff of Mountain Area Hospice for their support in their time of need.