Carlene C. Lankford

The angels took Carlene Claris Horton Lankford (88) home on Saturday, June 22nd after a long battle with dementia. She passed peacefully in the early evening at home, with her husband by her side, just before a small rainstorm.

Carlene was born October 28th, 1935 to Carl and Delpha Horton in Marshall, Arkansas. She loved to travel all over the United States, to spend time with friends and family, and to play various games, whether they were on the computer, the atari, or in a casino.

But most of all, Carlene loved her family. She was married to her husband and travel partner, Ray, for 64 years. If anyone asked, they could spend hours talking about their various adventures together and the various mishaps that occurred along the way. Their only child, Linda Jean (Jeannie), was the light of her life. Jeannie was her constant companion and fellow troublemaker up until Jeannie’s death in 2021. Carlene played a huge role in her grandson’s upbringing, spoiling Brandon Ray and Collan Ray every chance she got with her love, support, and cooking. When Brandon married Brandy, Carlene was happy to finally have a granddaughter to spoil as well.

She is survived by her loving husband, Gayland Ray Lankford; her son-in-law, William Anthony Callis, and her grandchildren, Brandon Ray (Brandy) Callis and Collan Ray Callis. Welcoming her home to heaven are her daughter, Linda Jean Lankford Callis; her Father and Step-mother, Carl and Themla Horton; Mother and Step-father, Delpha and Bill Bryant, and her two sisters, Willodean Norris and Esther King.

All of Carlene’s services will occur on Monday, July 15th, 2024. The visitation and memorial service will occur at Sawyer-George Funeral Home, with the visitation starting at 9am and the service starting at 1pm. Carlene will then be interred at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery at 2pm.