Stella Bartenfeld Lankford

Stella Wylene Bartenfeld Lankford, 93, passed away Thursday, February 8, 2024, at home with her family by her side, after a yearlong illness.

Stella had a full life with her large family. She was known affectionately by her grandchildren as “Nana.” She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, quilting, painting, and journaling. In her retirement years she liked doing crossword puzzles. She retired from Walmart in 1992. Stella was known at work as the “associate that was always smiling.”

Stella was the daughter of the late Charlie Bartenfeld and Stella Hill Bartenfeld. She is also preceded in death by the father of her children, Hubert Leroy Lankford; infant daughter, Lynda Sherry Lankford; two (2) granddaughters, Mandy Lee Whitmire and Kerry Ann Stanley; and four (4) sisters, Charlotte Chapman and Arthur, Margaret Rich, Tommie Lee Beach and Cody, Virginia (Gingie) Bartenfeld; and brother-in-law, Rayburn Morgan.

She is survived by her sister, Jeannette Morgan; eight (8) children, Richard Lankford, Sharon Kenemer, Deborah Hardin, Sandra Whitmire and Roger, Cynthia Underwood, David Lankford, Nancy Keeter and Mitch, Kim Westfall and Steve, all from the Dalton area; thirteen (13) grandchildren; twenty-nine (29) great-grandchildren; eight (8) great-great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Stella’s family appreciates the loving care that their mother received from her caregivers, Brenda Plott and Melissa Underwood, during her final year of life.

The family will receive friends at Love Funeral Home Monday, February 12, 2024, from 1:00-4:00 pm. Funeral services will follow at 4:00 pm in the Chapel of Love Funeral Home with Arthur Blalock officiating. Stella will be laid to rest in West Hill Cemetery.