HR1042: HR1042 Langston Funeral Home; Buena Vista, Georgia; occasion of more than 60 years of dedicated service to the community; recognize

26 LC 129 0597 House Resolution 1042 By: Representative Hugley of the 141st A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Langston Funeral Home of Buena Vista , Georgia, on the1 occasion of more than 60 years of dedicated service to the comm unity; and for other2 purposes.3 WHEREAS, since its establishment in 1966, Langston Funeral Home has stood as a4 cornerstone of dignity, compassion, and service in Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia,5 providing families with care, respect, and professionalism duri ng their most difficult6 moments; and7 WHEREAS, Langston Funeral Home was founded by the remarkable mother-and-son duo,8 Mrs. Charlie Jane Mathis Langston and Mr. Charlie Edward Matthews, both licensed Funeral9 Directors—an uncommon and groundbreaking achievement at the tim e, particularly for10 African Americans in rural Georgia—and proud members of the Thi rd District Georgia11 Funeral Service Practitioners Association; and12 WHEREAS, Mrs. Charlie Jane Mathis Langston was a true pioneer whose service extended13 far beyond funeral care, dedicating 36 years to education as a teacher and principal, while14 also breaking historic barriers as the first African-American female licensed Funeral Director15 H. R. 1042 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0597 in Marion County and the first African-American female Probation Officer in Marion County16 and the City of Buena Vista; and17 WHEREAS, Mrs. Langston's exemplary life of service was recogniz ed through numerous18 honors, including Mortician of the Year in 1978, the prestigious Martin Edwards Award in19 1981, and on the occasion of her 100th birthday, she was presen ted the Key to the City of20 Buena Vista, an honor championed by former City Councilwoman Mrs. Gladys Thomas; and21 WHEREAS, in a powerful symbol of her lifelong dedication to service and community, Mrs.22 Langston was laid to rest with the Key to the City upon her pas sing in 2006, at the age of23 103; and24 WHEREAS, her son, Mr. Charlie Edward Matthews, carried forward the family legacy as25 a licensed Funeral Director and entrepreneur, serving families with compassion and care until26 his passing in 2020, while also expanding the original facility from approximately 800 square27 feet to more than 2,000 square feet and laying the groundwork f or future growth and28 partnership; and 29 WHEREAS, in January 2011, the funeral home entered a new chapter through a merger with30 Brown Funeral Home, formerly owned by Reverend Joseph Brown, becoming Langston &31 Brown Funeral Service (DBA), thereby expanding its reach while maintaining its32 commitment to personalized, family-centered care; and 33 WHEREAS, in January 2021, the next generation of the Langston-Matthews family stepped34 forward to continue this proud legacy, including Dr. Sonja L. Matthews Coaxum, daughter35 and granddaughter of the founders, along with the founders' gra ndchildren Trenton R.36 H. R. 1042 - 2 - 26 LC 129 0597 Matthews, DeShon McNeill, and Blaze Coaxum, reaffirming a multi -generational37 commitment to service; and 38 WHEREAS, later in 2021, the business reclaimed its original name, Langston Funeral Home,39 LLC, and formally transitioned to a limited liability company, demonstrating resilience and40 determination even in the face of profound loss following the p assing of Trenton R.41 Matthews; and42 WHEREAS, Dr. Sonja L. Matthews Coaxum has continued the traditi on of excellence by43 earning an Associate Degree in Mortuary Science from Columbus T echnical College and44 holding a Professional Funeral Apprentice License, exemplifying the hands-on service and45 dedication that have defined the firm since its inception; and46 WHEREAS, today, Langston Funeral Home is operated by Dr. Sonja L. Matthews Coaxum47 alongside Mr. Joseph Brown, and though modest in size, the firm ' s i m p a c t i s48 profound—having served generations of families, often caring for multiple members of the49 same family across decades, with compassion, dignity, care, and concern; and50 WHEREAS, Langston Funeral Home stands as more than a business, it is a living testament51 to faith, resilience, generational perseverance, and unwavering service, reflecting the strength52 and spirit of the community it has faithfully served for over sixty years.53 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that54 the members of this body recognize and commend Langston Funeral Home of Buena Vista,55 Georgia, for its more than 60 years of exemplary service, leadership, and compassion, as well56 as extend sincere appreciation to the Langston-Matthews family and all those who have57 contributed to its enduring legacy.58 H. R. 1042 - 3 - 26 LC 129 0597 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized59 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution ava ilable for distribution to60 Langston Funeral Home.61 H. R. 1042 - 4 -