Cecil Langham Obituary

LANGHAM, Cecil Cecil Durwood Langham, widower of Virginia Nobles Langham, entered into eternal rest in Mount Pleasant, SC on the morning of July 21, 2005. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral at Bush River Memorial Gardens, in the mausoleum, Columbia, SC, Monday, July 25. The family will be receiving friends from 11:00 am, with the service following at twelve noon. Mr. Langham was born April 27, 1916, in Pollard, Alabama, the son of Ernest Langham and Carrie Evans Langham Cottrell, and reared in Mobile, AL. He was an alumnus of Murphy High School in Mobile and Draughan Business College in Augusta, GA. Mr. Langham was presented the Key To Columbia by Mayor John T. Campbell in 1971 for his service to the community. He was active in many civic organizations, including The Heart Fund; the Lion's Club and The Urban League. Living in North Augusta, SC from 1947-57, he was on Town Council and was Police Commissioner in mid 1950's. He served as Chm. Of the N. Augusta Civil Defense Council. He served as president of both the Columbia and the SC State Life Underwriter's Associations and served the latter as a National Committeeman. He was the recipient of their coveted Carroll H. Jones Award and The Life Insurance Statesman Award. He retired as District Sales Manager with Independent Life and Accident Insurance Company in Columbia, SC in 1981 after 30 years of service. He was a member of the American Legion and the Forty and Eight in Columbia and North Augusta, where he served Post 71 as Chaplain. A devout Christian, he was a Chm. Of Deacons and Superintendent of Sunday School of North Augusta Baptist Church, served faithfully in several capacities as a member of Park Street Baptist Church and later St. Andrews Baptist Church, both in Columbia. Entering the U. S. Army in 1934, Mr. Langham served several enlistments. He reenlisted in 1943, and served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, the American Theater, graduating from Officer's Candidate School joined the European Theater of Operation as a replacement officer in the Battle of the Rhineland, going ashore as a Unit Commander of the 4th infantry Division in Normandy. He was wounded in the Huertgen Forest in Germany, Dec. 1944. He was awarded a number of medals including: Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, EMAE Ribbon with 1 bronze Service Star, American Defense Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal. He was retired as Captain in 1947 from the Oliver General Hospital in Augusta, GA. He is survived by one daughter, Cecile Langham Cothran (Mrs. Samuel A. Jr.) of Summerville, SC; one granddaughter Perrin Langham Cothran of Mt. Pleasant, SC; two half-sisters: Doris L. Palmer of Daphne, Alabama and Willoweise Langham of Fair Hope, AL; one half-brother; Aquila Langham of Robertsdale, AL; one aunt; Minnie Evans Batchelor, of Apopka, FL. And many special nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his half-brother, Aubrey Langham of E. Brewton, AL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Christian Broadcasting Network, Attn: CBN Living Tributes, 977 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA 23463. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.