Samuel and Florence Lanford

URBANA - Samuel Taylor Lanford: Jan. 6, 1928 - Jan. 3, 2023

Florence Leah Lanford: Sept. 2, 1932 - Feb. 26, 2023

Samuel Lanford and Florence Lanford, longtime residents of Urbana, passed away in the first quarter of this year.

Sam was born in Blanket, Texas, and recieved his undergrad and master's degrees from Texas A&M University. Florence was born in Jackson, Ohio, and recieved her undergrad from Ohio State University and her master's in Indian History from the University of Illinois. 

Samuel was a professor in the UI School of Architecture, where he taught for almost 40 years, and was nicknamed "Smiling Sam." Florence taught in Champaign County schools at the elementary level, and was renowned for her expertise and enthusiasm for children. They were very active in their church, Philo Road Church of Christ; their community; and their neighborhood.

They lived in the Urbana community for over 50 years, and loved the libraries, the parks and their friends. They were kind and generous to all. They loved inviting international students who were missing their home countries and families to their house. They hosted untold numbers of church friends and out-of-town family and friends. The home was always welcome to their children's friends.

When they married, they agreed that they wanted to make travel a priority and lived in diverse places before settling in Urbana. They lived in New York City, Germany, Washington State, Texas and East Pakistan. They visited Napal, India, Japan, Cambodia, many European countries, Mexico, Alaska and Israel.

They remained active in retirement with various retirment accociations, writing, gardening, traveling, church and visiting friends and family. After over 50 years in the same house, they moved to the Windsor of Savoy in Champaign and completely enjoyed an active social life of sharing meals with friends, choir, field trips, Bible studies, concerts, a writing group and other activities.

They are survived by their three adult children and their spouses: Cecelia and Michel Zandbergen, Les and Connie Lanford, and Missy and Ed Deregibus; 23 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. Florence is survived by four living siblings, Anna, Teddy, Calvin and Shirley. Sam is survived by two living sisters, Ruth and Louise.

They lived good and kind lives. They loved people, worked hard and will be terribly missed.

"Apart from the body, at home with the Lord."

Services for the couple will be held at Philo Road Church of Christ, 2601 Philo Road, Urbana. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 22, and a memorial service is set for 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 23.