Cynthia McMillan Lanford (86) passed peacefully in her home on March 19, 2024. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Born on November 17, 1937 to Dr. James B. McMillan and Anne Brannon McMillan, she lived the entirety of her life in Tuscaloosa. She was preceded in death by both parents and her husband of sixty-one years, William H. "Bill" Lanford Sr..
She is survived by three children, Cynthia Celeste Wells of Tuscaloosa, AnnElise Guffee (Ed) of Franklin, TN, William Harrison Lanford, Jr. (Anita) of Tuscaloosa, and five grandchildren: Lauren Elise Wells, Sara Caroline Wells, William Andrew Guffee, Anne Brannon Guffee, and Lawson Isabella "Izzy" Lanford.
Cynthia graduated from Tuscaloosa High School and the University of Alabama where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board, and Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She was named to The Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and was in the Editor's Associations of the Panhellenic conference. Additionally, she was Editor of Kappa Kappa Gamma's national magazine "The Key" and served Kappa in many other local, providence, and national capacities.
A lifelong community servant, Cynthia served as Chairman of the Tuscaloosa Public Library Board of Trustees, President of the Junior Welfare Association, and The Arc of Tuscaloosa Board of Directors. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa where she was active in United Methodist Women, the Altar Guild, and as a volunteer receptionist. She helped handcraft a kneeler for the sanctuary altar.
Her closest circle included many lifelong friends with whom she shared a very special bond. Her interests were known to all to be sewing, bridge, special lunches, gardening, reading, and watching Alabama football every Saturday in the fall. "Neena" to her grandchildren, she loved nothing more than planning for birthday and holiday parties. As soon as one event was over, she began planning for the next one - making her lists and dragging Bill to Hobby Lobby (or maybe it was Bill dragging Cynthia!). Spending time at the beach with family and friends was among her greatest pleasures.
A private family graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 with a Celebration of Life open to all family and friends at 4:00PM at Capstone Village.
Honorary Pallbearers are former and current staff of Capstone Village, special "Tau" group, and Dr. John Warren. A special thanks to Valerie Stallworth, Marcie Lowe, Angela Merriwether, Cedric Stewart, Latoya Jones, Terralyn Muttaki, homeRN, Hospice of West Alabama and Bill Thetford.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to Tuscaloosa Public Library or United Cerebral Palsy of West Alabama.
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