Robert Lanford Sr.

Family-Placed Death Notice

LANFORD, Robert, Sr. The Reverend Mr. Robert Almand Lanford, Sr. passed away December 30, 2009 at his home, 'Tuesday Morrow', in Dahlonega. Son of Laudis A. and Lucile Almand Lanford, Bob was born in Stone Mountain, GA in 1934. A graduate of Stone Mountain High School, he attended Emory University. He was employed as a civil engineer with the City of Atlanta Water Department from 1954 - 1964. Answering the call to Christian ministry in 1964, he attended Candler School of Theology and was ordained a United Methodist minister after graduation. The churches in the North Georgia Conference that he served include Lawrenceville First, the Harmony Grove, Midway, and Auburn circuit, Gordon's Chapel, Rockmart First, Camp Glisson Conference Youth camp, Bethany in Smyrna, Kennesaw, and Mt. Pleasant in Cleveland. While at Candler School of Theology, he was the tenor soloist at Glenn Memorial UMC and a member of the Candler Choraliers Singing Ensemble. During his seminary years, he worked as a photographer with the DeKalb Tribune. Many people will remember Bob's beautiful tenor voice, his love of music, and his great pride that all of his children make music. His appointment to Camp Glisson was a highlight in his life because it offered him a chance to combine his love of the outdoors and his skills for camping with his deep conviction that the camping experience should be an extension of the local church and an opportunity for Christian education in the great outdoors. His retirement since 1996 was spent serving Mt. Pleasant UMC in Cleveland, Georgia where a new fellowship hall/educational building has just been completed. Bob is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Mary Barton Jordan Lanford of Stone Mountain; his children, Rob and Patti Lanford, Lecia and Richard Landolt, Norby and Donna Lanford, and Nan Lanford; and his six grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to your favorite place of need. Several of Bob's favorites are Camp Glisson, The United Methodist Central Conference Pension Initiative, and Smile Train. Memorial services for Rev. Lanford are scheduled for 3:00 PM, Saturday, January 2, 2010 from the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall with Dr. Rev. Gerald Thurman and Rev. Ross Wheeler officiating. Funeral services will be held 3PM, Sunday, January 3, 2010 from Kennesaw United Methodist Church with Rev. C.R. Hill, Dr. Wallace Wheeles and Mike Sheron officiating. Interment will follow in the Stone Mountain Confederate Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.alexander-funeral. com. Alexander Funeral Home of Cleveland (706)865-1500