Edna Langford, daughter Judy was married to Jimmy Carters' son
wazzzy
Edna Langford's interest in politics took her from volunteering on
campaigns to nights in the White House and travel on official
diplomatic trips.
Her most notable political alliance was her close relationship with
President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter. Mrs. Langford's daughter
Judy was married for years to the Carters' son Jack, and Mrs. Langford
remained friends with the Carters throughout her life.
"She was very political. She was excited about being involved in her
community," said her grandson, Jason Carter of Atlanta, who is also
the Carters' grandson.
Mrs. Langford died May 29 from complications associated with a stroke.
Following her Friday funeral at First Baptist Church in Calhoun, she
was buried at Fain Cemetery there.
According to a history provided by the family, Mrs. Langford was born
in 1923 to Dorotha Wood Snyder and George Ralph Snyder. She earned a
degree in physical education in 1944 from Oklahoma College for Women.
After World War II, she met James Beverly Langford of Calhoun while he
was in town visiting a cousin. They married in August of 1946, moved
to Athens, then to Calhoun. She lived there until last year, when she
moved to Illinois to live with her daughter.
Even as she became frail in her later years, her sense of humor never
lost its edge.
"She was hilarious," Jason Carter said. "She talked really softly, but
her wit would bite you."
Mrs. Langford was active in politics at the local level, managing
volunteer efforts for Carl Sanders' gubernatorial race and Lyndon
Johnson's presidential bid before pouring her energy into Jimmy
Carter's run for Georgia governor, according to the family.
It was during that race that Mrs. Langford became close friends with
the Carters. During the Carter governors administration, she traveled
with Mrs. Carter to Brazil and England as part of the early days of
the Friendship Force. She traveled again with Mrs. Carter during the
presidential campaign, later capturing their adventures in the book
"Rosalynn, Friend and First Lady," co-authored with Linda Maddox.
During the presidential term, Mrs. Langford was a regular overnight
guest at the White House, attended diplomatic functions and state
dinners, and traveled to various countries with Mrs. Carter, according
to family history.
Back home in Calhoun, Mrs. Langford taught swimming for more than 20
years and fought to desegregate the public pools in the early 1960s.
The Edna S. Langford Swim Center was built in her honor in 1974. She
volunteered with the Red Cross and started businesses in Atlanta and
Calhoun.
"She was her own person more than anyone I've ever known," said Jason
Carter.
Mrs. Langford is survived by her three children, Judy Langford of
Evanston, Ill.; Jim Langford of Calhoun; and Lucie Canfield of
Atlanta; her sister, Carol Boulukus of Cambridge, Mass.; her brother,
Dr. Ralph W. Snyder of Sarasota, Fla; grandchildren, a niece, nephews,
and several great-nieces and nephews.
By JENNIFER BRETT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/03/07