Erin Ann Lankford

Erin Ann Lankford, 65, of Liberty Missouri unexpectedly but peacefully passed away on Friday, March 8, 2024.
Erin came into this world as a true gift. She was born in St. Louis, MO and shortly after she was born an amazing couple in Fulton, MO were called and told a beautiful baby girl was available for them to adopt. Patricia and Earl O'Rourke drove to St. Louis to meet their new baby girl. It was love and light at first sight. It also set the tone of Erin's life. She was a light and gift to all she knew.
Erin grew up in Fulton, Missouri, where she never met a stranger and was a joyful child. Erin spent her school years surrounded by friends-relationships which she has kept to this day. At an early age she culminated a deep faith in Jesus that lasted her lifetime. This faith drove her to constantly do for others. Erin attended William Woods University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in education. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega, Erin cherished the sisterhood she gained through her sorority time and remained involved with her chapter well after her time at William Woods. She later gained a master's degree in education leadership from Park University.
Erin took on her biggest challenge in life when she met and married Thomas C. Lankford of Mexico, Missouri. If you know the two of them you know they couldn't be more different. And yet, this beautiful dance of two different souls spanned 40 years. Tom and Erin shared a passion for their friends and family that was unmatched. It is also what made them work so well together. As a team, they were givers of time, money, their home, meals and countless conversations that have been lifegiving to so many. The gratitude for that passion has been seen by Tom and Erin's children the last few days by the countless memories and condolences shared by the Liberty community and beyond. Tom and Erin together have exemplified unconditional love for one another and their children. What a legacy of love.
Outside of her family and friends, Erin dedicated her life to educating and empowering her students, spending 30 plus years as a Special Education teacher and later in supportive administration roles. She ensured her students' success through her continued care and advocacy on their behalf, as well as never letting them lose sight of their potential. Erin's work in education inspired not only her students, but her colleagues, friends, and family, as well. She was a bright light in a difficult, but admirable, profession; her impact in education will long outlive her passing.
In her free time, Erin loved to hook rugs (a hobby she shared with her father), crochet, read, travel with friends, and participated in her local PEO chapter. But of all her varied interests and talents, there was nothing Erin loved more than being a mother to her three children and "Mimi" to her grandchildren. Her love and dedication to her family remains unparalleled, and there will never be enough words to encompass the loss felt by her family from her passing.
Erin is preceded in death by her sweet baby Meredith Lankford, brother, Michael O'Rourke, and her father, Earl O'Rourke.
Erin is survived by her husband, Tom Lankford, of Liberty, MO; mother, Patricia O'Rourke, of Fulton, MO; daughter, Jessica Moore along with her five children, Faith, Melody, Jillian, Madie, and Luke, of Toledo, OH; son, Philip Lankford, of Denver, CO; son, Andrew Lankford, and his wife, Alyssa, of Oklahoma City, OK; bonus son Jonathan of Kansas City, MO; niece Ashley O'Rourke, and her wife Lindsay along with their sweet son Caden, of Hallsville, MO; niece Kelsey Howard, and her husband Jordan, along with their sweet baby Bailor, of St. Louis, MO; cousin Jerry Baumeister and his wife, Sherri, along with their daughter Shannon of Columbia, MO.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at Hidden Valley Funeral Home in Liberty (1015 H Highway, Liberty, MO 64068).
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at Second Baptist Church of Liberty (300 E. Kansas Street, Liberty, MO 64068).