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In Memoriam
Langston C. Bannister –
December 8, 1933 – November 22, 2019
The Reverend Doctor
Langston Clinton Bannister, beloved husband, father,
grandfather, brother, mentor, teacher, pastor, colleague,
neighbor and friend passed from this earthly life on Friday,
November 22, 2019.
Langston was born on December 8, 1933 in Wake Forest,
Virginia to Frank Bannister, Sr. and Revella Harrison
Bannister. Langston began his lifelong education in a
one-room schoolhouse. |
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He pursued intellectual excellence as he completed degree
programs at Tuskegee University, and next serving his
country in the US Air Force. A master’s degree from San
Francisco State University and a doctorate from the
University of Massachusetts followed.
Langston served students of the University of Toledo as a
professor for 30 years and was instrumental in the expansion
of the Education Sociology Department. It was during this
time that Langston spent a year with his family on
sabbatical in Oslo, Norway working in an International
Management Program for Educational Change. He also conducted
workshops in Indonesia.
While at UT he served as Senior Pastor of Third Baptist
Church for 18 years. In retirement, Langston completed a
three-year Spiritual Formation program which enhanced his
work as a mentor, lecturer and community leader.
Langston was particularly sought out by pastors as a mentor.
He was passionate about helping others, and was observant in
knowing who was in need of assistance. He shared his gifts
and his love generously, welcoming many young people into
his own sphere to help them reach their goals and use their
talents. He inspired his own family to seek higher levels of
achievement through education.
Langston was preceded in
death by his parents, his brother, Frank, and sister Dorothy
Bannister Brown. Left to cherish his memory are his devoted
and loving wife of 59 years, Elizabeth; daughters, Angela
Bannister, Carla (Nate) Bond, Michelle (Sean) Williams; son,
Alan (Patekka) Bannister; and grandchildren Kai and Nate
Bond, Sean, Jr., Ian, and Seth Williams, and Cranston
Bannister. Sisters in law Saidah Hatchett and Verna Hartman,
Brother in law Earl Gibson, cousins Myra (Ivan) King,
Yvonne Paige, and Jessie (Thomas) Eaves and a host of nieces
and nephews.
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