Harold "PaPa" Lang, a native and lifelong resident of Mobile, Alabama transitioned his life on earth on December 13, 2011. He was born June 28, 1920 to the late Nelson Lang, Sr. and Esther Gertrude Mitchell. He was educated in the Mobile County School System, attended the Spaulding Business College where he met his wife, Gwendolyn Odom. He retired after serving over thirty years at Laborer's Local Union #70 as Secretary/Treasurer. He was a devoted member of Toulminville-Warren Street United Methodist Church where he and his wife raised their entire family in the ministry. He set an example in the church and community by giving of his time, resources and talents. He served faithfully in many capacities from shoveling coal into the basement of Warren Street Church to visiting the sick and bereaved families. He also served in the Adult Sunday School, Bible Study, Mature Adults, Trustee Board (Emeritus), United Methodist Men, Male Chorus, Finance (Emeritus), and his favorite duty as an Usher. He was preceded in death by his parents, Esther Gertrude and Nelson Lang Sr.; wife, Gwendolyn Odom Lang; four brothers, Nelson, Elvin, Leon, and Marion Lang; four sisters, Mary Lee Lang, Esther Sims, Corine King, and Leora Keller; and grandson, Barry Lang, Jr. He leaves to cherish his legacy; three daughters, Deborah (Wendell) Love, Atlanta, GA, Valerie L. Forte, Birmingham, AL, Harolyn L. Ezell, Mobile, AL; four sons, Barry (Charisse) Lang, Sacramento, CA, Terence (Thelma) Lang, Sr., Adrian (Cynthia) Lang, Kirven (Franchesca) Lang, Sr., all of Mobile, AL; twenty-five grandchildren; Kennard (Shuntel) Love, DeSoto, TX, Byron Love, Dallas, TX, Kayana Lang, Belzoni, MS, Patrice L. Santee, DeVontre Lang, Kenaz Lang, Caleb Lang, Patricia Felder, Lonnel Rendell, all of Sacramento, CA, Gregory Forte , Kansas City, Kansas, Lateria (Terrell) Smiley, Mobile, AL, Terence (Tewanda) Lang, Jr., Atlanta, GA, Tasha M. Lang, Orlando, FL, Aladrian (Christopher) Evans, Mobile, AL, Christopher Lang, Auburn, AL, Darion King, Kirven Lang, Jr., Tierra Lang, Cameron Lang, Vashonna Little, Brandon Little, Alexis Little, Cornelius Ezell, all of Mobile, AL, Gabrielle Ezell and Morgan Lang, both of Montgomery, AL; one brother, Leonard Lang, Columbus, OH; one sister, Myrtice Gibson, Inkster, MI; twenty-one great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. His remains will lie in state Friday, December 16, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Small's Mortuary, Mobile,AL. Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral hour at Toulminville-Warren United Methodist Church, 2271 St. Stephens Road, Mobile, AL. The interment will follow in Lawn Haven Cemetery, Theodore, AL. DIGNIFIED AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO SMALL'S MORTUARY, 950 SOUTH BROAD STREET, MOBILE, AL 36603. Condolences may be offered at www.smallsmortuary.com
Published in the Press-Register from December 14 to December 16, 2011