Marion County GaArchives Obituaries.....Langston, Charlie Jane Mathis December 9, 2006 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jean Frost JFrost3636@aol.com January 22, 2007, 11:22 pm Columbus Ledger Enquirer Posted Dec. 14 2006 Mrs. Charlie Jane Mathis Langston November 9, 1903- December 9, 2006 BUENA VISTA, GA— Mrs. C.J. Langston age 103 passed away on Saturday morning December 9th, 2006. Celebration Services will be held on Saturday, December 16th, at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Buena Vista, Georgia. The Reverend Ruby Youngblood is Pastor, and the burial will follow at the Buena Vista City Cemetery. Mrs. Charlie Jane Mathis Langston of Buena Vista, Georgia was born on November 9th, 1903 in Buena Vista, Georgia to the parentage of Mr. Ike Mathis and Mrs. Florence McKenzie Mathis. She was born the daughter of a slave. She was the fifth child of nine children. Four siblings were born in the late 1800's and four were born in the early 1900's. Mrs. Langston was educated in the public schools of Marion County during her elementary school years until the 10th grade and graduated from Fort Valley Normal and Industrial School with her high school diploma. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia. She was also a scholarship recipient to New York University to The Steinhardt School of Education where she received a Masters of Science Degree in Elementary and Middle Grades Education. . She valued and believed in the importance of education, as she instilled these values in her family and all children and adults that she had the honor of educating formally or informally through the nurturing of her enriching life. She was a proud, strong, determined mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a Foster-Adopted parent in the time of need to over forty children in her lifetime. She truly touched the lives of all the children she cared for with her indomitable spirit. Mrs. Langston was married four times and has four sons and two deceased sons. Mr. Ruben Woods Jr. and Robert Morris both preceded her in death. She is the proud parent of Mr. Walter Elijah, Buena Vista, Georgia, Mr. Charlie {Clara} Matthews, Buena Vista, Georgia, Mr. Felton Toombs of Harlem, New York and Mr. Charlie King of Savannah, Georgia. She taught school for 37 years, and during her tenure she also served as a Principal. She was the first African- American Female Probation officer and Mortuary owner in Marion County. She was the proud owner of Langston and Sons Funeral Home. She was a member of the Third District Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association. Mrs. Langston was Mortician of the Year in 1978 and received the Martin Edwards Award in 1981. She was a member of the local chapter of the Retired Teachers Association, a proud member of Fort Valley State University Alumni Chapter, a member of the Professional Business Women Organization and the Eastern Stars. Mrs. Langston was presented the key to the city of Buena Vista, Georgia by the Mayor on her 100th birthday. Reflecting back on Mrs. Langston's life and times, her greatest joy was being a faithful, compassionate, devoted member of Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Buena Vista, Georgia. Her roots ran deep in the heart of her church, as her mother gave birth to her under the steps of the cornerstone of Mt. Zion A.M.E. She never moved her membership, raising all of her children and grandchildren in the church. She was a faithful member for 103 years. She was a Sunday school teacher, missionary, usher, choir member, class leader, Mother of the Church, and she served on various committees throughout her life. Even when her health began to decline, she continued to stay close to the flock because she believed in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, praising him daily. She leaves to cherish her sweet, loving memories to; Four loving sons - Mr. Walter Elijah, Buena Vista, Georgia, Mr. Charlie {Clara} Matthews, Buena Vista, Georgia, Mr. Felton Toombs of Harlem, New York and Mr. Charlie King of Savannah, Georgia. One loving sister, Mrs. Florence Elizabeth Washington of Buena Vista, Georgia. A daughter-in-law Mrs. Minnie Woods, of Buena Vista, Georgia. Four truly devoted grandchildren Mr. Wayne Woods of Buena Vista, Georgia, Mrs. Sonja {Kenneth} Matthews-Coaxum of Midland, Georgia, Mrs. Felicia {Michael Pinckney} Matthews of Buena Vista, Georgia and Mr. Eric Forehand of Buena Vista, Georgia; one granddaughter, Sharonda Wooden McNeill preceded her in death, Five blessed great grandchildren Miss DeShon McNeill of Fort Valley, Georgia, Miss Sharon Woods of Butler, Georgia, Mr. Trenton Matthews of Buena Vista, Georgia, Mr. Darrien Woods of Butler, Georgia, and Mr. Blaze Coaxum of Midland, Georgia. A devoted cousin and church member, Mrs. Morris Hawkins of Americus, Georgia. A dear family friend and caretaker Mr. Albert Colbert. Four faithful caretakers Ms. Kat, Ms. Marilyn, Ms. Mary, and Ms. Mae. She is survived by a host of other caring and supportive family members and friends who will miss her dearly. 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