Forest "Smiley" Lankford

Forest Grier “Smiley” Lankford, age 92, of Kings Mountain, passed away Sunday, December 24, 2023, at his residence. He was born June 29, 1931, in Gaston County to the late Odus and Myrtle Sellers Lankford. Forest was an electrician by trade and worked in the textile industry. Forest loved baseball and was an avid Braves fan. He enjoyed western movies, especially John Wayne movies. He also wouldn’t miss an episode of Bonanza. He enjoyed listening to Hank Williams, Sr. and George Jones. He loved farming and being outdoors; he was known for selling milk and butter.

In addition to his parents, Forest was preceded in death by brothers, Carl Lankford and two infant brothers; sisters, Hazel Lankford, Dorothy Lankford, Verna Faye Lankford, Shirley Tuthorow, and an infant sister.

Forest is survived by his wife, Mary “Margaret” Cash Lankford; children, Toni Long, Sherry Ledford (Billy), Tim Lankford (Martha), Marty Lankford (Donna), Kenneth Ray Neill, and Angela Neill; sister, Ruth Greene; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, December 29, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Carpenter-Porter Funeral and Cremation Services, with Jeff Cash officiating. Family will receive friends from 1:00-1:45 PM prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cleveland County.

Condolences may be made to www.carpenterporter.com