Lena Angela Kendrick Langster

OBITUARY
LENA ANGELA (KENDRICK) LANGSTER

Lena (Kendrick) Langster was born June 12, 1929 to the late Dr. George Milton Kendrick, Sr. and the late Lena Mae Ragland Kendrick. She was the youngest of five children and was preceded in death by her four siblings: George (Oletha) Milton Kendrick, Jr; Frances (Mack) Lewis; Othe (Ruby) Kendrick, Sr.; and Marjorie Black.

Lena was born and raised in South Nashville and where she resided until her passing on May 6th. As the baby in the family, she began elementary school at the age of four because she wanted to go to school with her siblings. When asked her age she would reply “I’m four at home and six at school”. Lena graduated from Cameron School (then considered a middle school) in 1942. She went on to Pearl High School and graduated in 1945 at the age of 16. She often boasted of graduating from both historical schools.

After high school Lena met and married Travis L. Langster, Sr. of Theta, Tennessee. They both lived and worked in Nashville. Travis Sr. tragically died in an automobile accident leaving Lena a widow with five children. Lena never remarried. Following her husband’s death, Lena and children moved in with her father in the South Nashville family home that was once a private hospital owned and operated by her father. After her father’s death she remained in the home until Urban renewal in 1968.

Faith and Church were essential to Lena’s life. She joined Caper’s Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church at an early age and was a lifelong member. Her father’s name is on a stained glass window of the Church. There is a picture of her on the steps of Capers with other children of Capers when she was three years old. She was ALWAYS telling people about her Church. She invited everyone to come to her Church, including her doctors, grocery/pharmacy clerks, shoppers and anyone on the street.

Lena faithfully served on the Stewardess Board of Capers. She was the Stewardess Board President for many years. While on the Board, Lena would make sure everything was ready for Communion Sunday. The communion cloths were clean and meticulously pressed. The communion ware was sparkling and appropriately set up. Lena found joy in joining the Pastor in taking communion to the sick and shut-in.

Lena used her faith in her professional career. The majority of her professional work was with the United Methodist Publishing House. She faithfully worked in the Curriculum Department. After full time work retirement, she took her curriculum knowledge to the retail side of the Publishing House. She began part time work at Cokesbury. So much of the money she was paid was used to purchase items for her Church. Her work at Cokesbury also afforded her the opportunity to meet, greet and talk to so many in the faith community.

To many friends, Church members and professional acquaintances she was known as (Ms) Lena. So many have also come to know her as Big Momma. She became known as Big Momma after the birth of her first grandchildren. This Title wasn’t reserved just for blood family members, though. She was Big Momma to so many. All loved her.

She was also known as Aunt Lena. She became the matriarch of a very large and extended family. Again, it didn’t matter if persons were related by blood. This title doesn’t fully convey the degree of love and closeness that existed. While her family grew and changed, her connections never waivered. Once associated with the family, always associated with the family.

Lena leaves to cherish her memory and love, five children: Travis (Lisa) L. Langster, Linda (Wayne) Sadler, Randall Langster, Joanne Langster (deceased), Denise Cookie Langster, and Selena (Phillip) Solomon; 13 grandchildren, Travis (Andrea), David (Carmen), Jarvis, LaKeisha and LaKesha (James) Holt, Tracy (Marcus) Beard, Kevin Pendergrass, Kendrick Sadler, Tracy (Victor) Shelby, Nikki (William) Cliett, Melody Johnson, Ronald and Alena Solomon; 20 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren; special and often lifelong friends, Lynette Mumphery, Dorothy Searcy, Dasiree McKissack, Wilmatine Elam and Mildred Woodard; the entire Stewardess Board members; and the Capers family. She loved all and was best friend, surrogate mother, godmother and aunt to so many.