Leycaster "Sam" Lankford

Leycaster N. “Sam” Lankford, 91, of Stewart Street, Welch, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at the University hospital in Augusta, GA. Born on October 3, 1924 at Red Ash, VA, he was a son of the late Herbert H. and Melissa Beavers Lankford. He attended Richlands high School and received a honorary diploma from the VA State Board of Education. He was a veteran of WW II serving in the European Theater with the 13th Airborne Division. He worked for the Clinchfield Coal Company as a bookkeeper. He was a veteran employee for US Steel in Gary working as a supervisor and retired in 1984 in Plant Protection. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Welch and was a 60 year member of the Richlands Masonic Lodge. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Sturgill Lankford; brothers, Howard, Bernard, Morris and Norris Lankford. He was the last surviving sibling of his family. Survivors include his daughter, Sarah M. Perkins of Martinez, GA; a grandson, Christopher Aaron Perkins of Martinez, GA; and a nephew, Alan Lankford of Bristol, TN. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 1:00 PM at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell with Reverend Olsen Butch-Wynfree officiating. Entombment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Princeton. Friends may call on Thursday from 12:00-1:00 PM at the funeral home. Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com