Mildred Violet Lankford Blythe, 89, widow of Edward Hunter Blythe Sr., died April 22, 2008, in Southampton Memorial Hospital. Born in Franklin, she was a daughter of the late Vincent and Berlie Burgess Lankford. Mrs. Blythe was also predeceased by two brothers, Thurston Lankford and Ashley Lankford. She was retired from Leggett's and was an avid bridge player, belonging to several bridge clubs. She was a member, former deacon, Sunday school superintendant and choir member of the Franklin Congregational Christian Church. She was former president of the Women's Fellowship and a former Girl Scout leader. Survivors include her daughter, Sandra B. Duck and husband John I. of Franklin; her son, Edward Hunter Blythe and wife Jackie of Courtland; one sister, Nelda Morton of Portsmouth; one brother, Buddy Lankford of Franklin; four grandchildren, Kevin Duck and wife Jill of Windsor, Blake Blythe and wife Beth of Louisville, Ky., Kimberly D. Flythe and husband Walt of Franklin, Brad Blythe and wife Heather of Subic Bay, Philippines; seven great-grandchildren, Justin Duck, Trent Duck, Hunter Blythe, Cole Flythe, Davis Blythe, Brady Flythe and Jack Blythe; and many special friends and extended family, especially her caregivers at the East Pavilion and church family. A funeral will be conducted Sunday at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. James H. Hyatt, the Rev. Samuel Askew and the Rev. Layfayette Wilkins officiating. Interment will follow in Southampton Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the home of Sandra and John I. Duck, 320 Carrie Drive, Franklin, and suggests memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 1224, Franklin, VA 23851, The American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1132, Fairfax, VA 22038, Franklin Congregational Christian Church, 412 North High St., Franklin, VA 23851 or a charity of choice. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.


Published in The Virginian Pilot on 4/25/2008.