Jessie L. Lankford

Jessie Moore LankfordJessie Lankford, 93, Tipton, passed away peacefully at 8:20 a.m. Sunday, May 6, 2007 at Autumnwood at Tipton Hospital. Born March 25, 1914 in Cambridge City she was the loving and caring daughter of Jacob & Lena (Taylor) Moore.  On July 13, 1941 she married Donald Lankford and moved to Tipton. He died April 23, 2005.She graduated from Elwood High School in 1932 and joined Sigma Alpha Chi service sorority.  Jessie joined the West Street Christian Church and asked to work in the Sunday School Department.  She spent 20 years as Superintendent of the Primary Department and worked energetically to teach, care for, and inspire all children.  Jessie could not imagine a world without children. She became leader of her daughter’s Brownie troop and stayed with them through Girl Scouts until each member received her “Curved Bar” (the highest award given to a Girl Scout).When her oldest daughter graduated from high school in 1961, Jessie took the job as cook at the new Tipton High School cafeteria. She later was asked by the Mayor of Tipton to join the workforce at the City Office as a receptionist.  She handled all utility payments and complaints.  Jessie made sure that anyone who was angry upon arriving, left the office calmer and happier knowing that she had done everything possible to handle his problem.  Few people have the patience necessary to handle this type of job.When Jessie retired, she became an avid walker, usually walking three miles a day.  She loved to walk around the park but realized how unsafe it was.  Working with the City of Tipton, Jessie arranged to have the yellow line placed on the road around the park just for the safety of walkers or runners.  She was an inspiration to all who knew her and loved her.  In her high school yearbook, the quotation by her picture said, “Only a friendly heart like hers could have so many friends.”She is survived by her three children, Brenda Jean Gottlieb from Indianapolis,  Donald M Lankford and Leanna ( Lil) Powell, both from Tipton.  She has 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.  She was predeceased by 4 brothers and 2 sisters.The visitation will be from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9  at Young- Nichols Funeral Home, Tipton.  The funeral will follow the visitation at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Tipton.In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the West Street Christian Church Memorial Fund, 132 N. West St. Tipton, Indiana. 46072