of Harrison, AR

August 28, 1927 - March 26, 2017

Frances "Frankie" Lois Roach Langston, 89, of Harrison, Arkansas, formerly of Richmond, Texas, died peacefully at her home on March 26, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Franklin "Frank" Peacock Langston.

Funeral services celebrating her life were Saturday, April 1, 2017, at First Baptist Church, 1400 South Pine Street, Harrison, with the Rev. Rob Davis and the Rev. Royce Sweatman officiating. A private family graveside service was at Maplewood Cemetery officiated by Chaplain Captain Garrell Calton. Visitation was Friday, March 31, 2017, at First Baptist Church. Frankie's twelve grandsons served as pallbearers, with her seven granddaughters serving as honorary pallbearers.

Frankie was born in 1927 to Leonard Delbert and Lucy Lois (Olive) Roach in Mexico City, Mexico, where Leonard was teaching. When she was three years old, her parents moved back to their home state of Texas where Frankie lived for the next 40 years. She met Frank, the love of her life, in choir while attending Baylor
University. On August 18, 1948 she obtained a Bachelor of Music degree, major in Public School Music, minor in Voice. Frank and Frankie married August 29, 1948 and celebrated life together for 46 years before Frank's death on November 6, 1994.

The newlyweds moved to Richmond, Texas where Frankie had six daughters in seven and a half years, became an elementary school teacher, and was active in many church activities. In 1969, the Langston family moved to Harrison, Arkansas where Frankie taught first grade at Skyline Elementary School until her retirement in 1994 concluding a 35 year teaching career. She was a member of Arkansas Retired Teachers Association, Boone County Retired Teachers, and Delta Kappa Gamma. Frank and Frankie were both active in Gideons International and she hosted a monthly prayer group in her home for several decades. Her love of reading led her to volunteer at the Boone County Library.

Frankie's deep faith in God and her love of the Bible were central to her life. She was an active member of First Baptist Church where she was a devoted member of the Adult Choir, taught 3-year old Sunday School for several decades, was a steadfast member of Women on Missions, volunteered at the Medical Clinic Mission, was instrumental in establishing the children's theater program Caraway Street, and passed out sports equipment at The Recreational Outreach Center until she was in her early 80s.

In her later years, even when she needed help walking at church, she would stoop down to pull up grass from between the cracks in the sidewalk. She loved all the little children...red, brown, yellow, black, and white...and she never met a stranger.

Her sage advice "Never write down anything you don't want the whole world to read" is even more relevant in today's modern tech era. According to her countless notes, she prayed daily for every family member...and also for missionaries around the world. Music was very dear to Frankie's heart. In recent times, when other things faded from her mind, she still sang her favorite old songs, and could even hit the high notes. Anyone who knew her will never forget her joyous smile and twinkling eyes.

Greeting Frankie in Heaven on Sunday were Frank, her forever love; her parents, Leonard and Lois Roach; her son-in-law, David B. Vasina; and infant great-grandsons, Jacob Keith Nichols and Jonathan Amias Nehemiah Barrett.

Left to cherish her memory are her six daughters and their families; Ruth Ann Langston Vasina, Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Langston (Foushee), Catherine "Cathy" Langston Barrett and husband Cocky, all of Harrison; Lucy Dianne Langston Abbott and husband Johnny of Chester, Virginia, Susan "Susie" Elene Langston Nichols and husband Bill of Valley Springs, Arkansas; and Frances Jeannette "Jeannie" Langston of Harrison, formerly of Seattle, Washington.

She also leaves behind 19 grandchildren and their spouses who lovingly called her "Nana": Kevin Vasina and wife Holly, and Sharon Vasina, all of Harrison; Joe Vasina and wife Stephanie of Basehor, Kansas; Melanie Foushee (Straub) Meyer of Marshall, Arkansas and Jason Foushee of Harrison; David Barrett and wife Emily, Pete Barrett and wife Jessica, Zeke Barrett and wife Ashley, Gabriel Barrett, Carla Barrett Jackson and husband Lorne, all of Harrison; Joshua Barrett and wife Lisa of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Ree Barrett Oxford and husband Jeff of Farmington, Arkansas; Amy Abbott Calton and husband Garrell of San Antonio, Texas; Ben Abbott and wife Fran of Lithia, Florida; Jim Abbott and wife Hannah of Columbia, Missouri; and Dan Abbott and wife Jannell of Rolla, Missouri; Mike Nichols of Adair, Oklahoma; Sarah Nichols Underdown and husband Rob of Alpena, Arkansas; and Becki Nichols Graves and husband Josh of Harrison.

Frankie's heritage will continue for many generations with 46 great-grandchildren: Matthew and Ivy Ann Vasina; Lillie Ann Vasina and Jasper Dare; Marissa Straub; Lance, Morgan, and Jordan Foushee; Cara, Sloan, and Mia Barrett and Jax Magness; Bryce and Eva Barrett; Jake and Laney Barrett; Elle and Sy Jackson; Ella, Will, and Lily Barrett; Anna (Oxford) Johnson, Barrett, Flint, and Claudia Oxford; Lucy and Timothy Calton; Jessica, Natalie, and Abigail Abbott; Avery, Luke, Ali, and Levi Abbott; Abel, Caleb, Elijah, and Carolyna Abbott; Addy, Cade, and Zane Nichols; Katie and Logan Underdown; and Makenzie, Eli, and Archer Graves. Frankie is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, other relatives, and special friends.

One of Frankie's deepest desires was to teach others about Jesus' love. The song "Find Us Faithful" was her prayer for her family...to leave behind a heritage of faithfulness. "May the footprints that we leave, Lead them to believe, And the lives we live inspire them to obey, Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful."
(Jon Mohr).

Although she is gone from us now, her song of life continues...in the lives she touched and in the presence of the Lord she loved.

"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God endures forever." Isaiah 40:8.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Frankie's love of the Bible, memorial contributions may be given in her memory to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 997, Harrison, AR 72602. To make a gift by phone, please call 1-866-382-4253. (For an investment of $1.25, you can provide for the purchase and placement of a Scripture somewhere in the world.)

"Well done, good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23

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