Ben Edward Lankford was born December 19, 1946 in Athens (Etowah) Tennessee to Bill and Rosie Lankford. He was called home to Jesus on December 16, 2020.
He was married to Sharlene Laurie Quinn on October 7, 1977 in Greenland, Arkansas.
He is survived by his wife, Sharlene, daughter, Laura Stellick and husband, Jim; son, Nathan Lankford and wife Natasha; two grandsons, Adian and Josiah Lankford, all of West Plains, Missouri; two brothers, Dan Lankford, Arkansas and Scott Lankford, Colorado, and one sister, Mary Maxwell in Tennessee.
Ben is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Rosie Lankford and one brother, Dennis Lankford.
He became a licensed minister through the Assemblies of God on November 10, 1989. He served as pastor at Bardley Assembly of God, Summersville Assembly of God, and most recently at Pentecostal Revival Center of West Plains, Missouri. He served in the Armed Forces (Army) during the Vietnam conflict and was stationed at Landstuhl, Germany. He was trained as an x-ray technician. He worked at Washington Regional Medical Center while living in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he was trained as an ultrasound technician. Ben worked at Ozarks Medical Center for over twenty years. Ben loved God, his family and friends, his church family, and spending time outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Howell Valley Cemetery, Howell County, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.
December 16, 2020 @ 3:30 pm
Sharlene and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Ben. He was such a nice man with a pleasant smile. God Bless you and your family!!
December 16, 2020 @ 5:18 pm
The Lankford Families,
I didn’t know Ben personally but he is the one that did an ultrasound on me when I was pregnant with our son 21 yrs. ago. He was very nice, professional, and very caring doing the procedure. So sorry to hear of his passing. All of you will be in my daily prayers/thoughts. May God bless all of you.
December 16, 2020 @ 9:29 pm
Sharlene I am so sorry Ben is gone. God gained a beautiful soul. I loved to listen to his sermons on the computer. He will be missed and what a battle fought. May God comfort you and your family.
December 17, 2020 @ 6:19 am
We are so sorry for your loss. We looked forward to seeing you at all the singing. Have .missed you so much. Sending prayers for you all.
December 17, 2020 @ 7:49 am
Ben was one of those people who was always friendly and kind. May the Lord comfort and keep all of his family.
December 17, 2020 @ 9:12 am
my prayers are with you all
bens passing brings sadness in our hearts but we know Ben is in abetter place with JESUS BEN HAS NO MORE PAIN AND WE WILL SEE HIM AGAIN
December 17, 2020 @ 12:09 pm
Sharlene and Family,
So sorry to hear about the passing of Ben. I enjoyed working with Ben at OMC. He was a proud believer in Jesus Christ and was never shy to let you know that Christ was his savior. May God comfort you all during this time of personal sorrow.
December 17, 2020 @ 5:32 pm
Very sorry about the time of grief of your family. Brother Ben was and will continue to be a blessing in my life. Ben had a heart for God and a great love for His people. He not only was a great family man, but had a love for the Church. He was what I call a pastor to all who proclaimed Jesus as Lord an Savior. He had a smile I will never forget. Sister Charlene and children and grandchildren our prayers are with you.
December 19, 2020 @ 1:11 pm
So sorry to hear of Ben’s passing.
I worked with him at OMC.
He was a nice and professional person.
May he rest in peace.
Prayers for comfort to his family & friends.
Kathy Beaty, LPN retired
December 20, 2020 @ 7:32 pm
Dear Charlene, Mary Jo and my condolences on your loss. I always enjoy my conversations with Ben. I’m sure he is having a great time right now! May God give you perfect peace during this time.
December 20, 2020 @ 10:25 pm
Sharlene and Family, I worked with Ben at OMC for several years. A man with a bright smile and a sincere belief in his Master. My prayer is peace for you and the family.