Mary Louise "Molly" Lankford

Born April 6, 1930, Molly Brown was raised in Helena, Arkansas. During her early teenage and college years, she lived in Nashville, TN. She graduated from Ward Belmont Girls School, then attended Vanderbilt University where she met her future husband, Alex F. ”Lank” Lankford. They were married in 1951. After Lank obtained his JD from University of Alabama, they moved to Mobile, Alabama to begin his maritime law career and start their family.

Molly was strong in her faith throughout her life. She was raised in the Episcopal Church of Helena and in Nashville. In Mobile, the family attended St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and later joined Spring Hill Presbyterian Church where she and Lank served as deacons for 35 years and were members for over 50 years.

She served as a member of the Junior League, Mobile Museum of Art and the Art Patrons League. In later years, Molly valued her membership in the Colonial Dames and enjoyed being a member of a mystic society.

Molly was a devoted wife and mother. She was an art and antique enthusiast and loved decorating her home with her collections, flower arrangements and mementos from world travels with Lank. She enjoyed English gardening: growing fruits and vegetables with Lank and the children. She especially loved tending to her roses. Molly played tennis “round robin” with friends for many years. A lover of dogs, she owned collies and Shetland sheepdogs throughout her life. She had a sharp wit and a penchant for dressing well and always had a mystery novel close at hand.

Molly is predeceased by her devoted husband of 66 years, Alex F. Lankford, III; her parents, Warren C. Brown and Jean T. Brown; her sister, Jean Oglesby and her brother, Warren C. Brown.

She is survived by her children, Jean Lankford (Marilyn), Louisa Harrington (Bill) of Dallas, TX and Alex Lankford, IV (Laura). Her grandchildren Will Harrington (Morgan), Tanner Harrington (Mae), Preston Harrington, Anna Middlebrooks (Ty), Lillie England (Colton), Ben Lankford, Sam Lankford, James Lankford, Coleman Torrans (Annie) and 6 great grandchildren. We are especially thankful to Annie Mae Johnson for her warmth, kindness, humor and dedication to our family for over 50 years. We are most grateful to Shandres, Ambreya, Claudette, Courtney, Teresa and Lakisha at ACTS Care for their kind, thoughtful assistance and steadfast loving care of Molly.

A celebration of life will be held at Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Spring Hill Presbyterian Church Chapel, 10 Westminster Way, Mobile, AL 36608.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Child Advocacy Center, Wilmer Hall, or Mobile SPCA. Condolences may be offered at www.pinecrestfuneralhome.com.