Lena Blanche Harden, 101

Funeral services for Lena Blanche Harden, 101, of Caulfield, were held Oct. 30, 2023, at Elijah Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial was at Baptist Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Harden died at 8:21 a.m. Oct. 23, at her home.  

She was born Aug. 26, 1922, at Lavaca, Arkansas, to Willis and Martha (Hill) Tackitt, the fifth of eleven children. 

Blanche was baptized at a young age into the Church of Christ at Elijah, Missouri, and maintained membership there until her death.  

On Aug. 24, 1938, she married Elbridge Langston at Dawt, and they remained married until his death in 2000. Elbridge and Blanche had six children. In 2003, she married her childhood friend, Richard Harden, and enjoyed their life together, traveling and fishing, until his death in 2009. 

Blanche stayed active throughout her life and was seen fishing and taking care of family, friends and her very large yard, even at 100 years of age. She was often sought out by members of the family and community to obtain information. Blanche remained in charge of these precious memories until her death.

She is survived by five children: Ramona Joice and her spouse Earl, of Caulfield, Sam Langston and his spouse Nancy, of Thayer, Jack Langston and spouse Donna, ofWest Plains, Dennis Langston, of Caulfield and Anita Turner and spouse Randall, of El Dorado, Kansas; 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 21 great-great-grandchildren; three great-great-great-grandchildren; double-nephews Tim Langston and spouse Lea, of Gassville, Arkansas, and Neil Langston and spouse Reta, of West Plains; one brother, Billy Joe Tackitt, of Caulfield; and too many nephews, nieces, and cousins to count.

Her parents, husbands, son Terry E. Langston, great-granddaughter Madison P. Frisbie, siblings Jewel Tackitt, Snowie Spoon, Esther Langston, Katherine Tackitt, Myrtle Hensley, J.B. Tackitt, Doris Bonham, Lee Olen Tackitt and Pauline Bean, and double-nephew Gary Lyle Langston, preceded her in death.  

 Memorial contributions may be made to Baptist Hill Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertsondrago.com.