Estel Lankford
October 12, 1922 — June 30, 2018
Lovingly known to family and friends as Lank
October 12, 1922 to June 30, 2018
Estel Lankford (Lank) was born in Accomack Virginia on October 12, 1922 the son of Goldie Dennis and George E Lankford. After a long bout with numerous health issues, he went home to be with our Lord on June 30th 2018. Two of his four sons Prince and Bill were by his side when he passed. Our Father Estel Lankford, was the oldest living grandson of John and Ella Dennis
Estel spent his early years growing up in Virginia and spent much of that time with his grandmother Ella Dennis and the Dennis family. Estel’s mother and father moved to Philadelphia where Estel attended school and graduated from Central High School. After High school Estel joined the US Navy and spent his tour of duty in Hawaii.
Estel returned to Philadelphia after his service in the US Navy and took a job with the Philadelphia Post office where he met and fell in love with Arthenia Miller (affectionately known as Binnie). After a courtship they got married in August 1949 and started their family in Detroit, Michigan. In Detroit, Estel worked for General Motors as an assembly line supervisor in addition to working a second job painting homes. While living in Detroit the first three of four sons were born. Then in 1955, the family moved back to Pennsylvania and purchased a home in West Philadelphia where their fourth son was born.
Estel and Binnie were very active in the West Philadelphia community. In 1963, they participated in Martin Luther King’s march on Washington D.C. and were there for King’s “I Have a Dream Speech”. Living in Philadelphia Estel worked a variety of jobs from operating a successful home painting business to working as a production assistant at General Electric’s Aerospace re-entry division located at 32nd and Chestnut.
Estel’s entrepreneurial passion and desire to own his on business lead the young couple to opening several family restaurants in Philadelphia that thrived for years until they moved to California in 1974. While in California they continued their love for family owned business opening several new restaurant ventures.
After a successful and vigorous life in California, Estel’s and Binnie’s enthusiastic desire for new adventure lead the couple to move Las Vegas, Nevada. In Las Vegas, they opened two prosperous restaurants. In 2008, the couple closed their businesses Nevada and moved back to California to retire after a lifetime of owning and operating successful family businesses.
Estel leaves to mourn in his memory; four sons ,George, EJay, William, and Prince; three Daughters-in law, Loretta, Deborah, and Christine; Eleven grandchildren, Kelly, Toni, Kimberly, Kevin, Evan, William, Hillary, Nia, Lauren, Ryan, and Aaron; a host of great grand children, nieces, nephews, cousins as well as other relatives and friends.
Famous Estel quotes:
“Don’t wait for your ship to come in, swim out to it”
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
October 12, 1922 to June 30, 2018
Estel Lankford (Lank) was born in Accomack Virginia on October 12, 1922 the son of Goldie Dennis and George E Lankford. After a long bout with numerous health issues, he went home to be with our Lord on June 30th 2018. Two of his four sons Prince and Bill were by his side when he passed. Our Father Estel Lankford, was the oldest living grandson of John and Ella Dennis
Estel spent his early years growing up in Virginia and spent much of that time with his grandmother Ella Dennis and the Dennis family. Estel’s mother and father moved to Philadelphia where Estel attended school and graduated from Central High School. After High school Estel joined the US Navy and spent his tour of duty in Hawaii.
Estel returned to Philadelphia after his service in the US Navy and took a job with the Philadelphia Post office where he met and fell in love with Arthenia Miller (affectionately known as Binnie). After a courtship they got married in August 1949 and started their family in Detroit, Michigan. In Detroit, Estel worked for General Motors as an assembly line supervisor in addition to working a second job painting homes. While living in Detroit the first three of four sons were born. Then in 1955, the family moved back to Pennsylvania and purchased a home in West Philadelphia where their fourth son was born.
Estel and Binnie were very active in the West Philadelphia community. In 1963, they participated in Martin Luther King’s march on Washington D.C. and were there for King’s “I Have a Dream Speech”. Living in Philadelphia Estel worked a variety of jobs from operating a successful home painting business to working as a production assistant at General Electric’s Aerospace re-entry division located at 32nd and Chestnut.
Estel’s entrepreneurial passion and desire to own his on business lead the young couple to opening several family restaurants in Philadelphia that thrived for years until they moved to California in 1974. While in California they continued their love for family owned business opening several new restaurant ventures.
After a successful and vigorous life in California, Estel’s and Binnie’s enthusiastic desire for new adventure lead the couple to move Las Vegas, Nevada. In Las Vegas, they opened two prosperous restaurants. In 2008, the couple closed their businesses Nevada and moved back to California to retire after a lifetime of owning and operating successful family businesses.
Estel leaves to mourn in his memory; four sons ,George, EJay, William, and Prince; three Daughters-in law, Loretta, Deborah, and Christine; Eleven grandchildren, Kelly, Toni, Kimberly, Kevin, Evan, William, Hillary, Nia, Lauren, Ryan, and Aaron; a host of great grand children, nieces, nephews, cousins as well as other relatives and friends.
Famous Estel quotes:
“Don’t wait for your ship to come in, swim out to it”
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
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