Mary Frances Langford

Mary Frances, or “Meff,” as she was lovingly known to family and friends devoted her life to her faith, her family, her Czech heritage, her love of animals, music and Houston’s fine arts scene, where she made several significant contributions, appearing in countless musicals and operas here while tutoring aspiring singers.

She was born on Feb. 15, 1926 in Temple, Texas, to Walter and Minnie L. Johnson nee Havlic. Her father, a career conductor for the Galveston-Santa Fe Railroad, died when she was five. She was raised by her mother in Temple.

At the University of Texas at Austin she earned a theater arts degree and was involved in several organizations, including the board of governors for the Curtain Club. She was also named a Bluebonnet Belle in 1946.

Mary Frances appeared with the Houston Grand Opera in various performances from 1958 to 1970 and also performed in musicals for Theatre Inc., the 1950s predecessor to Houston’s’ Theatre Under The Stars. She was a past president of Etoffe Litteraire, active in Tuesday Musical Club and eventually earned a second bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Houston. She was a cantor at Temple Beth Israel for many years. At UT, she met Rose Mary Johnson. Though the two were not related, they became lifelong friends who eventually lived and raised families next door to one another in Houston.

After college, Mary Frances toured with the USO in Japan as a singer and lived in New York City. She moved to Houston where she married Victor Junger. She is survived by their son, Chris Junger, U.S. Navy, Retired, of Temecula, CA. She is also survived by her “second” family, the children of Rose Mary Johnson Matthews: Melanie Knapp, Maureen Hurst, Michele Matthews, Kevin Matthews, Brian Matthews, Rory Matthews and Patrick Matthews, and their families.

Mary Frances is preceded in death by her second husband, Charles M. Langford, III. The two met at a party. Her close friend, poet Vassar Miller, had invited him that night. She is also survived by her cousin, Sylvia Vavra of Houston, four brothers-in-law and their families: Kenneth and Marietta Langford of Portland, TX; Alan and Jeanie Langford of Gatesville, TX; Ernest and Kay Langford of Lufkin, TX; Philip and Carmen Langford of Mount Enterprise, TX.

Special thanks to her good friends, Joanne Avinger, Carmen Flores, and Tamara Thompson.

For 30 years, she was an active member of the Bering Drive Church of Christ Bible Study and a funeral service will be held at her home church, Palmer Memorial Episcopal, 6621 Main Street, on Saturday at 2 p.m. A private graveside service will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.