LANCASTER—Madeline Emma Lankford Withers, 86, of Lancaster passed away March 1, 2025.
She was the daughter of the late Herbert and Evelyn Pugh Lankford. She is also predeceased by her sister, Irene L. Walker; daughter, Lisa Simmons Morgan; and granddaughter, April Watson.
Madeline was a Governor of the Jamestown Society, a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, the Carter Society, the Hughlett Society, the War of 1812 Society and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
She enjoyed researching genealogy, watching musicals, traveling to Europe, cruises to the Caribbean, playing the piano and loved being among people. She was the organist at Trinity Episcopal for years and was named a who’s who in the list of women to watch in 1972.
Left to cherish her memories are her daughters, Vicki Simmons Watson (Jerry Gregor) and Jennifer Sheeran Spencer (John); grandchildren, Lara Spencer, Logan Spencer, Michael Gaskins and Mark Gaskins; and sister, Shelva L. Gaskins.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., March 21 at St. Mary’s Whitechapel in Lancaster. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory, Downtown Suffolk Chapel is serving the family. Condolences may be registered at RWBakerFH.com.
