Ethel Yvonne Lang 's Obituary
Ethel “Yvonne” Lang was born to the late Clinton and Daisy Jackson on January 8, 1930 in Siluria, Alabama. She graduated from the Shelby County School System. Yvonne gave her life to Christ at an early age at the Liberty Baptist Church in Alabaster, Alabama. She was dedicated and devoted to the Lord until her death.
Yvonne met Elbert Lang Jr. while working as a short order cook and waitress at Joe’s Restaurant in 1957. Their friendship blossomed into love and they were united in marriage on April 10, 1959 in Pueblo, Colorado. Elbert’s service in the Armed Forces took the family to various destinations within the U.S. and abroad. The family was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington in May of 1968, where they would go on to put down lasting roots in the church and community.
Yvonne joined the St. John Baptist Church in 1973 under the leadership of the late Dr. J.A. Boles, Sr. “Mother Lang”, as she was affectionately known, was a faithful Mother of the church. She served as the President of the Voices of St. John choir, and also sang with the Mission and Combined Choirs. She also played the piano for the Male Chorus and taught the “Senior Mothers II” Bible class. Mother Lang served as the Vice President and President of the Women’s Department of the Washington State Baptist Convention. She enjoyed working with the Mission Department, and looked forward to preparing Thanksgiving baskets each year for those in need. Mother Lang was also an honorary member of the Deliverance Bible Church where her son, Samuel May, serves as pastor.
Yvonne will always be remembered for her sweet spirit and contagious smile. She was well known in the community and the Joint Base Lewis-McChord area. Yvonne worked at the Fort Lewis Laundry facility and then worked at the Commissary until her retirement in 1993. No one ever felt like a stranger after meeting Yvonne.
Yvonne’s greatest joys were in the Lord and her family. “Mom” or “Granny”, as she was so lovingly called, took great pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved having coffee and playing cards with “her Lang”, and could often be found tending to her garden or cooking tasty meals. Mom loved to cruise and travel with family and friends. She instilled a spirit of love and service that has been passed down through three generations.
Ethel “Yvonne” Lang was called to her eternal home on Monday, January 16, 2017. She is preceded in death by her sisters: Eloise Kemp, Mildred White, Suzie Clark, and Irene McNeil; and brothers: Council Mahone, Theodis, John, and Frank and Warren Jackson. Her devoted husband of 57 years, Elbert Lang Jr. is left to cherish her memory; children: Sharon (Sam) May, Kevin (Yvonne) Lee [Fayetteville, NC], Marilyn (Maurice) Peterson [Owings Mills, MD], Venita Lang, and Tony Lang (Amy); along with siblings: Mary (Michael) Spears [Laurel, MD] and Alyce Tolbert [Alabaster, AL]; sisters-in-law: Barbara Jackson, Katie Lang and Linda Jefferson; brother-in-law: Ben Lang [all from Texas]; grandchildren: Tammi Dove, Sam and Sherriden May, Amanda and Derrick Peterson, Alexis (Dennis) Reynolds, and Emilio Garcia; great-grandchildren: D’Andre and Demetrius Dove, Isaiah and Isabel May, Quincy May, Logan Peterson, David and Damian Reynolds; spiritual children: Maurice and Bennie Collier; devoted and loyal friends: Doris Manning [Pueblo, Colorado] and Betty Booker. She will also be cherished by many nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends.
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