Dorothy “Dot” Ann Langston of Booneville, passed away peacefully, on July 10, 2026, at the Landmark Community in Booneville, MS. She was born on April 7, 1934, to Stogey and Naomi Wansley in Laurel, MS. Dot was 92 years of age.
Dot married Joe Ray Langston on December 19, 1950. Their marriage would last until Joe Ray’s death on October 14, 1986. To their union, three children were born: Cynthia Anne, Joey, and Shane. The family moved to Booneville, MS, in 1964, where Joe Ray started his law practice with Dot as his secretary. All three children became attorneys, making Dot the only non-attorney in the family. Yet, she deserved great credit and acknowledgement for sacrificing her time and ambitions to ensure that the other four members were educated and all received their doctorate degrees.
Dot had the instinctive ability to see that the path from a house with a “dirt” floor, in which she lived as a child, was educating her family. She never applied for a job to which she was not hired nor was ever discharged from a job at which she worked during her 92 years. She would, at times to the dismay of Joe Ray, “over attend” to all the needs of her children and grandchildren. She considered her love and support of her family her primary responsibility. Certainly, it proved vital to the family.
Dot had an intense commitment to the members of her family. Whether a family member was right or wrong in a decision made, in her they could always find support. How comfortable and how settled one could be when they knew, regardless of the position or decision they made, one could absolutely count on at least one person to be supportive. For our family, she was that person.
As Dot aged and her activities were limited, she simply inquired, “are all my children and grands where they are supposed to be and doing what they are supposed to do!” Only after that question was answered in the affirmative could she relax until the same question would again be asked the next day.
Dorothy, “Dot,” and Nana, as she was known, simply isn’t, for our family, replaceable though there are family members who will indeed do their best to make sure everyone in the family is doing well and of course, are where they are supposed to be. Such is our pledge to our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. How could we do less after she made the sacrifices to bring us from such humble beginnings to education and a much better quality of life.
She is survived by her children, Joey Langston (Tracie) and Shane Langston (Rebecca); her grandchildren, Casey Langston Lott (Amanda), Bryce Lott, Keaton Langston, Joe-Colby Ray Langston (Jessica), Kane Langston, Cody Ward (Bob), Jackie Stayton (Chris), Jaqe Johnson, MacKenzie Langston, Gabrielle Langston, Shane Aubry Langston, and Connor Langston; Her great-grandchildren, Cade Langston Lott, Cohen Lott, Camden Lott, Liam Lott, Bonner Langston, Emma Langston, Clark Stayton, Abbie Stayton, Camden Ward, and Stella Ward ; her sister, Iva Carter and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of thirty six years, Joe Ray Langston: her daughter, Cynthia Anne Langston; three brothers and two sisters.
A celebration of life will be at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at McMillan Funeral Home with Bro. Trey Lambert officiating, Mr. Casey Lott delivering the eulogy, and Mr. Travis Childers sharing memories, Joey Langston and Shane Langston will provide introductions. Graveside services will follow in the Booneville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. until service time on Sunday.
Her grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Finally, Dot’s family would like to sincerely thank those who graciously, kindly, and preciously attended to our Mom for the past several years. The Landmark Community and particularly the owners, Travis and Tami Childers as well as the dedicated and wonderful staff. Her medical care has been “first class” as Dr. Lawrence Dennis and Mary Grace Hancock treated her professionally and “like family”. And a special thanks to the ladies at First Methodist Church for providing the family meal after services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to George E. Allen Library in Booneville, MS. Educating our community is a wonderful undertaking.
Condolences may be left at www.mcmillanfuneralhome.com
