Obituary of William Jefferson Langley

 Funeral services for William Jefferson (Jeff) Langley, age 76, of Wadley will be held on Sunday, February 14, 2021, at 2:00 PM at Benefield Funeral Chapel with Dr. Barry Cosper and Rev. Zenus Windsor officiating.  Burial will follow at Forrester’s Chapel Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00-8:00 PM on Saturday, February 13, 2021.

Mr. Langley passed away Thursday, February 11, 2021, at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, AL.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Mailey Ann Gray Langley of Wadley; two daughters, Julia Ann Langley of Boca Raton, FL, Jamie Leigh Langley Henderson (Alex) of Birmingham, AL; two sisters, Dana Kaye Cooper (Mitchell) and Gay Nan Craven, both of Wadley; and brother-in-law Noel McGill of Devol, Oklahoma. Pallbearers will be nephews: John Cooper, Lance Raughton, John Melton, Adam Melton, Daniel Melton, Shane Coker, and Scott Craven.

A Wadley native, Mr. Langley was born on August 21, 1944, the son of George Jefferson and Bernice Cofield Langley.  He was a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church of Roanoke, and a former deacon at Trinity Baptist.  Mr. Langley sang bass in his family’s gospel group, The Langleys, and loved gospel music.  He spent much of his free time outdoors enjoying God’s creations. One of his favorite activities was exploring the forests, streams, and the beauty of the Alabama countryside.  Mr. Langley received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from Auburn University and his Education Specialist degree from Jacksonville State University.  His lifetime career as an educator included being a teacher, principal, and superintendent for the Randolph County School Board for 34 years.  Mr. Langley was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, John Wade Langley; and two sisters, Joan Langley McGill and Chera Langley Melton.

Memorials may be floral or donations may be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.