Elaine Duggins Lankford, born September 11, 1924, passed away peacefully the morning of Tuesday, July 16, 2013 in Jacksonville, Florida. Born to Joseph Edmund and Ursula Lambert Duggins in New York City, Elaine grew up in the Bronx with loving brothers, Eldridge, Joseph, and Samuel, along with loved ones, James Maynard and Eddie Larsen, and other extended family members who had always remained especially important throughout her life. She always acknowledged her dear Miss Mabel Larsen as a significant guiding and motivational force in the household and in the familys upbringing as well. Elaine is now reunited with these beloved family members in Heaven.She married the late Joshua J. Lankford, Jr., with whom she shared nearly 38 years of marriage. They proudly raised four children, Morgan, Paul, Ann, and Terri in Farmingdale, New York, a home which was rich with love, support, wisdom, laughter, and inspiration.Elaine cherished the rewards of welcoming her daughters-in-law and son-in-law, Wanda, Heidi, and Errol McKinson, and her former daughter-in-law, Roberta. She beamed with joy for the blessings of her five grandchildren, Erica Curry, Ryan, Jasmin, Alexander, and Austin and embraced extended family members including a grandson-in-law, nephews, nieces, and many more who called her Aunt Elaine.Elaine graduated from Walton High School in New York City. She later trained to be a nurse at the academic medical center of Montefiore in the Bronx and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. For 20 years, she worked in Parkview Nursing Home in Amityville, New York, where she formed lifelong bonds with friends that always remained special to her.Dear friends of Elaine know well of her commitment to kindness, pleasure of sharing, and unwavering patience and understanding. She loyally gave to a list of charities, and even after her own children moved away, she continued to drive neighborhood children to their team practices. It brought her great pleasure to be able to give to others, including making rosaries for distribution to patients by deacons for the St. Josephs Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida, her anchor of faith for the past six years.Elaine loved dancing (even by herself) and singing along to her favorite music. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, reading, entertaining family with cookouts, decorating the home for Christmas, playing card games, bingo, and canasta, taking vacation cruises and day trips with friends and family finding joy and laughter in everything. But above all, far overshadowing any other passions in her life, Elaine valued her faith in God and undying love for her family.Elaine is survived by her four children, two daughters-in-law, former daughter-in-law, son-in-law, five grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and a host of extended family and dear friends who cherish her memory and will hold her dear in their hearts forever.10:00AM viewing and 11:00AM funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2013 at Joseph A. Slinger-Hasgill Funeral Home, 155 Sunrise Highway, Amityville, New York 11701 (631) 842-2788.Local Arrangements by Helm-Gallagher Funeral Home and Cremation Services hide