Myrtle Roddenberry Langston

On April 8, 2015, Myrtle Langston went to be with her precious Lord and Savior.

Myrtle was born in Sopchoppy, FL., to Methodist parents, the late Susie and Stephen Roddenberry, and was the oldest of three and their only daughter. Standing a towering 4'10" inches (5'3" with her beehive hairdo), she recalled a youth full of her favorite passions, including dancing, playing the piano by ear, thumbing through the Sears Roebuck catalog for the latest fashions, and playing basketball. She married her high school sweetheart, Amos Langston, at the age of 21. Interesting jobs she held during her lifetime included working as a welder on military ships - a true "Rosie the Riveter" - and as a substitute band teacher at Sopchoppy High School. Having converted to the Baptist faith after marrying her husband, she played the church organ at Sopchoppy First Baptist Church for more years than one can count. In addition to gardening and huckleberry picking, she credited reading her Bible every day and working crossword puzzles as the secrets to keeping her mind and body sharp for all those years.

To her grandchildren she was best known for playing "Hold that Tiger" on the piano, her mouth-watering fried chicken and always serving both biscuits and cornbread at every meal. She taught them never to play cards or go fishing on Sunday, and always made sure they were "saved" before they left her house. They also fondly remember her using her microwave as a newfangled breadbox and her dishwasher as a giant drying rack. To her neighbors, she was best known for mowing her five-acre lawn while holding a parasol and wearing a #16-lb paper sack over her hair to protect her perfectly molded, blue-rinse hairdo; finally conquering the "crabgrass" that grew in the ditch in front of her house; transplanting more than 5,000 daylilies; growing a garden extraordinaire year-round; and driving her "automobile" around Sopchoppy until she was just over 100 years old.

At 103, she is preceded in death by almost everyone including her husband, Amos Langston, and her brothers, Amos Roddenberry and Alfred Roddenberry. She is survived by her only child, Ronald Langston (Kathleen) of Sopchoppy, Fla.; two grandchildren: Steven Langston (Edie) of Orlando, Fla., and Suzanne Barwick (Parrish) of Wakulla Springs, Fla.; four great-grandchildren: Shay Barwick, Sloan Barwick, Emma Langston and Walker Langston; a sister-in-law: Juanita Roddenberry; two nephews: Thurman (Kim) Roddenberry and Billy Roddenberry; and two nieces: Fanchon Revell and Electa Roddenberry.

Her family would like to give a special thanks to caregivers Lou Diebler, Paige Reinbold and Fanchon Revell for providing excellent care to "Aunt Myrtle" and taking her on numerous joy rides in and around Wakulla County. They would also like to extend their gratitude to Big Bend Hospice, especially Debbie Bullard.

On Saturday, April 11, 2015, a viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Sopchoppy Southern Baptist Church followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m.

A graveside service at the Sopchoppy Cemetery will immediately follow.

Flowers may be sent to Sopchoppy Southern Baptist or memorial contributions made to Sopchoppy Southern Baptist Church, 117 Curtis Mill Road, Sopchoppy, FL 32358 or Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32308.

Amber Miller of Bevis Funeral Home, Harvey-Young Chapel in Crawfordville is assisting the family with arrangements. (850-926-3333 or bevisfh.com).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tallahassee Democrat on Apr. 10, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Myrtle Langston

3 Entries

April 18, 2015

Myrtle was one of the sweetest and most talented friends from my childhood to adulthood. She was a joy to be around and to work with when our children were in Vacation Bible School. She leaves me with many happy memories of our early lives together in Sopchoppy. I have lived in Tallahassee for many years, therefore our paths did not cross very often. But Myrtle's lively personality remains in my heart forever. We are sending Loving thoughts to the Roddenberry/Langston Families. Love, Nolie Grimes Maxey, Bob and Carolyn Grimes

April 10, 2015

I will always remember Ms. Myrtle as one of the sweetest people I've ever known. She was the only substitute teacher I knew who could teach any class, whether it be band, chorus, home economics, English, math or whatever. She taught me from time to time in all those classes when I was in junior high and high school. And then I enjoyed her piano and organ playing for so many years at Sopchoppy First Baptist Church. Ms. Myrtle was a very dear lady. Callie Roberts Quigg

April 10, 2015

Mrs. Myrtle was a true southern gem! She impressed all with her class, meticulous dress and not a hair out of place mowing & working in her yard for many, many years and well in to her later years. She drove better than most people that were half or even a quarter of her age. She was known to drive around Sopchoppy and check on friends and continued doing this until she stopped driving in her 100s. I will miss seeing her and getting my hug from her at church. Rest in peace Mrs. Myrtle and I am blessed to have known such a lovely lady!

Mr. Ronald, Mrs. Kate, Suzanne & Steven - You are all in my thoughts and prayers. She was an extraordinary woman and lived a wonderful life. I know you all will miss her as will I but she is in a most glorious place with our Lord Jesus!

Tannye Rogers

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