Waunette Missouri (Cowart) Langford

Waunette Missouri Cowart Langford, 85, of Arnoldsville, GA, passed away May 8, 2023, peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in an old farmhouse on Chandler Bridge Rd, Center, GA November 5, 1937.

Waunette was a Born-Again Christian and lead a life pleasing to her Heavenly Father. She rededicated her life to the Lord in the 1970s. She was a member of Winterville First Baptist Church.

Waunette married her sweetheart Willis in 1957 at the home of Rev. Revee Pardon in Athens, GA.  They were married 64 years. They renewed their vows at their 40th anniversary celebration in 1997 officiated by Rev. Andy Huff.

Waunette had a natural ear for music and taught herself to play piano at the age of twelve. She dedicated her talent to the Lord and was the church pianist for Edwards Baptist, Calvary Baptist, and Temple Baptist.  She also played at many other church events, funerals, and nursing homes.  She especially loved singing and playing with the Rock of Ages group at Corinth Baptist Church. She could sing very well and sang in a trio called the Sounds of Grace with her daughter Lydia Joiner and sister Lula Doster.  She wrote many poems to express her love to friends and family.  She truly loved people from the bottom of her heart.

“Waunnie”, as most people called her, grew up working in her father’s cotton fields and was very conscientious about the sun damage on her arms from picking cotton as a child. Some of the jobs she held were driver of the Book Mobile, Waitress at Strickland’s Restaurant and Gateway Café, Seamstress at Superior Pants and Whitehall Textile Mill, Bus Driver for Clarke County School system, and Bookkeeper for Langford’s Truck and Auto Repair.

Waunette was a sports fan through and through.  She was ‘fastest on field day’ as she would say, and she loved car racing.  She cheered for Willis at Athens Speedway Dirt Track.  Nascar was her favorite sport and Chase Elliot was her favorite driver.   She would yell and whistle so loud it would pierce your ears.

Waunette was preceded in death by her husband, Willis O. Langford, her parents, Ernest and Annie Cowart, and siblings: Paul E. Cowart, Viola Payne, Grady Russell Cowart, James Chalmers (JC) Cowart, William Luther (Billy) Cowart, and Lula Mae Doster.

Survivors include her sister, Mary Nell Sanders of Crawford, Sister in Laws: Martha Ann Langford of Athens, and Myrtie Powell Cowart of Winterville.  Three daughters: Lydia Joiner (Gary) of Colbert, GA; Beverly Gorman (Danny) of Maxeys, GA; and Tracy Massey (Dwaine) of Arnoldsville, GA.  Seven grandsons: John Shawn McKinney (Sarah), Daniel Jerome Gorman, Jr. (Jennifer), Thomas Andrew Gorman (Jessica), Caleb Paul Joiner, Matthew Seth Joiner (Emily), Timothy Bryce Massey, and Andrew Cade Massey.  One granddaughter, Laura Paige Joiner.   Six great grandsons: Logan Thad Joiner, Daniel Jerome Gorman, III, Austin Michael Gorman, Nathan Shawn McKinney, David Jeffery-Joseph Gorman, and Cooper Willis Gorman. Four great granddaughters: Anna Rebecca McKinney, Emily Catherine ‘Katie’ Gorman, Finnley Mae Joiner, and Falynn Marley Joiner.  Several nieces and nephews, including two that she had a special relationship with, Janice C. Archer, and David W. Cowart. and many cousins.

The Family would like to thank Bridgeway Hospice for their excellent care and compassion and her wonderful caregivers, Mary Armstrong and Delita Sisk.

A Graveside service will be held Friday, May 12, 2023 at 11AM at Tuckston United Methodist Church Cemetery, 4175 Lexington Rd., Athens, GA 30605.  Danny Gorman will be officiating the service followed by a fellowship meal at Winterville First Baptist Fellowship hall.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and family members.  Flowers accepted or donations can be made in her memory to Winterville Baptist Church Food Bank.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, Athens, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com