Ginger Leister Langdon

Ginger Leister Langdon passed from this world on March 28, 2024. She was born in Bethel, North Carolina, on July 3, 1951 to Ray and Jane Leister. Ginger was the middle child. It was she and her older sister and best friend, Gail, until age ten when her younger brother, Greg, was born.

Ginger mostly grew up in the New Bern area. Her younger years were spent living on the river in James City. She and Gail had a horse named Buck and together they spent much time riding, swimming, and palling around with each other and their cousins. Later on the family moved into town and then eventually moved to Rocky Mount where Ginger graduated high school.

While attending New Bern Senior High School Ginger met Reggie Hill, a gregarious young man from Bridgeton. They fell in love and were married soon after high school. Reggie enlisted in the Air Force and the next twenty years were spent moving to different bases around the world. The two made a home in California, Maryland, Japan, South Carolina, and Florida before moving back to New Bern upon Reggie’s retirement. Ginger and Reggie had two children, Wendy and Chris, in whom she took great pride. She was an active parent who wanted her kids to have varied experiences. Ginger was a t-ball coach for Chris and a cheerleading coach for Wendy, that’s just the type of mother she was, always involved.

Summers were spent at the beach in Emerald Isle where the family had a cottage. It is without a doubt that some of Ginger’s best days were spent at the beach with extended family, sometimes up to twenty people. Fishing, swimming, walking, and just being on the beach seemed to make Ginger the happiest. It was a two bedroom cottage and it was common for as many as twelve people to be staying there at any given time in the summer months. Most nights the smell of fried fish, shrimp, and cornbread hung in the humid air. Ginger loved a side of sliced tomato to accompany the seafood.

After Wendy and Chris were grown and her marriage to Reggie ended Ginger met Fleming Langdon. They were married for a brief time until Fleming’s passing which was very difficult for Ginger. She lived the remainder of her years in her home on Brices Creek, her “happy place” watching and caring for the birds in her yard.

Ginger had a love of travel. She enjoyed trips with friends and family to places near and far. Asia, Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, and all across our great country were stops along her journey.

Ginger has two grandchildren, Davis “Double D” and Savannah “Siba”. She loved being Gran and they were her sunshines.

Ginger was predeceased by her father, Ray Leister, her mother, Jane Leister, her sister, Gail Lancaster, her brother, Greg Leister, and her husband, Fleming Langdon. She is survived by her children, Wendy Wall (Jim), Chris Hill (Connie Butterfield), and numerous extended family members. The family is forever grateful for the loving staff at Hospice who cared for Ginger. The nursing and emotional support provided by Melissa and the Kathy’s during Ginger’s difficult final chapter will never be forgotten.

A memorial celebration will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers or gifts please consider taking a walk on the beach in honor of Ginger, she would like that.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the family of Ginger Leister Langdon.