Shirley Langham

Shirley Ann Edmonds Langham

Stapleton, GA  –         Due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease, Shirley Ann Edmonds Langham, 82, loving wife of the late Robert “Bobby” Langham, peacefully left this life at the Keysville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Tuesday morning, May 19, 2020. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday morning, May 22, 2020 at the Harmony Springs Mennonite Church.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Because of the current ordinances regarding COVID-19 and the family’s respect and concern for public health and safety, the family has chosen not to hold a visitation but asks that social distancing and safety practices be followed at the funeral services.

Born to the late Robbie Reese Edmonds Scarber and the late John Edmonds, Shirley grew up and received her formal education in Thomson. Her childhood years were not always easy and, as the oldest child in her family, she learned at an early age to work hard and help take care of her younger siblings. On February 4, 1956, she married the love of her life, Bobby, in the First Methodist Church of Thomson. They shared 52 years of laughter and tears and were blessed with two daughters. Many times, Shirley sacrificed her needs for the welfare of her family.  Searching for a church home, God led them to the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, and were baptized together in 1979 at the Pinecrest Congregation by Minister Paul Wenger, remaining faithful to their commitment to God and His church until the end. Her trust and love for the Lord helped to heal the hurts of her difficult childhood. Accepting responsibility and hardship at a young age developed her reserved manner, but Jesus restored a childlike appreciation for the simple pleasures of life. Sitting on her front porch and having the family gathered together meant so much to her.

Shirley loved her devotional time, reading her Bible and singing, especially after the passing of her beloved husband in December, 2007. Her Bible and favorite songbooks could always be found beside her chair as she spent many evenings singing her praise and longings to God. She kept journals of her devotions, thoughts, trials, failings, and prayers from which she revealed how much it meant to her that Jesus loved her even in her weakness and failures. The knowledge that Jesus loved her—even her—sustained her through both hard times and good.

Shirley was also preceded in death by a brother, three brothers-in-law, and two sisters-in-law. Those left to cherish fond memories include her daughters, Cheryl Hodgin and Phoebe and Eugene Goossen; five grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; three sisters, Patricia and Ken Fleming of Tavares FL, Sarah Evans of Stark FL, and Brenda and David Lowe of Sanford FL; sister-in-law, Rita Edmonds of Thomson; nieces, nephews and all her church family.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Tiffany Reese and all the staff at Keysville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their compassionate care and the respect they held for her faith and dignity. They also wish to express their thankfulness for all the love and prayers shown during this time. May God richly bless each one of you!