from the June 22-24, 2007, Central Delta Argus-Sun:

HOLLY GROVE -- Herbert Langston Sr., 78, of Holly Grove, died Saturday at his home in Holly Grove. He was born Sept. 14, 1928, in Holly Grove to Samuel Langston Sr. and Lizzie Roberts Langston.

He was a lifelong member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He served as a Deacon, as an usher and as cemetery manager. He worked for Producers Rice Mill and Riceland Foods in Stuttgart for over 23 years. He loved raising his hogs, collecting antiques, raising a garden and walking. He also loved baseball, listening to the radio and watching the Weather Channel on television.

He was preceded in death by two children, Herbert Langston Jr. and Willie Luckyado.

Survivors are his wife, Odessa Langston of Memphis; four sons, Robert Langston and wife Gloria of Clarendon, Larry Langston and Thomas Langston, both of Stone Mountain, Ga., Ira Langston and wife Jacqueline of Patterson, La.; five daughters, Bettie Langston-Branch and husband Ray Sr. of Mabelvale, Sherlee Langston of Clarendon, Alma Langston-Jeffries and husband Curtis and Ora Lee Langston, both of Stone Mountain Ga., LaLisa Langston-Whitman and husband Troy Jr. of Brinkley; four brothers, Isaiah Langston, Robert Lanston and Oliver Langston and wife Irma, all of Chicago, Ill., and Samuel Langston Jr. of Holly Grove; a sister, Freddie Langston Crownover of Fort Worth, Texas; 19 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Friday, June 22, at First Baptist Church, Mimosa Street, in Holly Grove, with Rev. David Wilson officiating. Interment was in Mount Zion Cemetery at Holly Grove by Branscumb Johnson & Gilchrest Funeral Home of Brinkley.

Pallbearers were Ray Branch Sr., Samuel Langston Jr., Joseph Bailey, Ray Branch Jr., Isaiah Langston Jr. and Chauvin Langston.