FRANKLIN — Aubrey Lankford, 94, passed away on Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. He lived his entire life at 32055 Sycamore Church Road, Franklin, Virginia.

He was born on Aug. 21, 1923, to the late Samuel W. Lankford Sr. and Clara Cotton Lankford. He was the eighth of 10 children.

He was married to the late Mary Drewry Lankford.

He is also predeceased by his son, Aubrey Paul Lankford; and five brothers and four sisters, Irvin Lankford, Sam Lankford Jr., Hudson Lankford, Clara Walker, Clarice Thompson, William Lankford, Royce Lankford, Iris Woods and Irene Bland.

Aubrey was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed both hunting and fishing.

He served in the Navy in World War II and in the Virginia National Guard.

He farmed until 1962 when he became the first crop insurance agent in Southampton County. He retired in 1983 after 21 years as an independent contractor for the Federal Crop Insurance Agency.

He had been a Mason since 1947 in Lodge No. 151 AF & AM.

He had been a lifetime member of Sycamore Baptist Church.

He is survived by his son, Steven W. Lankford and his wife Debbie; four grandchildren, Justin Lankford and his wife, Shara; Travis Lankford and his wife, Ellyn; Aubrey Paul Lankford Jr. and his wife, Terri; and Jennie Lankford Owen and her husband, Tommy; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The graveside service with military honors will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, in Poplar Spring Cemetery, Franklin, with William Hart Gillette officiating.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Wright Funeral Home, and suggests that memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Sycamore Baptist Church or a favorite charity.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org.