Dr. Ledon Langston, 75 died peacefully at King’s Daughters Medical Center on September  21, 2017. “Doc” as he was known to those who loved him is celebrated by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 53 years, Cherie Pope Langston.  Doc and Cherie are the proud parents of Cleve Langston, and his wife Ferris of Tupelo, Leigh Cher Gray and her husband, Bruce of Brookhaven and Shely Shows and her husband, Russ of Oxford.

They are also the extremely proud grandparents of Gracie, Rivers, Lily and Anabel Gray, Cashe and Crawford Shows, and Jack Langston.

Dr. Langston is also survived by his sister in law, Dot Langston and nephew, Joey and wife, Tracey Langston of Booneville. Their sons, Keaton, Colby and his wife Jessica, and Kane are great-nephews and special Rebel fans to Doc and Cherie. Nephew Shane Langston his wife Rebecca and their family of Dallas, TX and Pearl Strange, Aunt, of McComb, are also special family members.

Dr. Langston had a distinguished career in medicine that spanned 5 decades culminating in his 50 year class reunion that he enjoyed immensely just last month. After graduating from the University of MS School of Medicine in 1967, Dr. Langston trained as an intern in Savannah, GA. He then proudly served his country as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina and around the globe at Mildenhall Air Force Base at Lakenheath, England where his squadron of C130’s transported the 82nd Air Borne during the Vietnam War.

He returned to MS after his service and completed his residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The Langstons settled in McComb in 1974 where he enjoyed almost 25 years of service to the women of Pike and surrounding counties, delivering more than 6,000 babies during his career. He took great pride in being a physician and the special relationship it afforded him with his patients, fellow physicians, nurses, and all the staff of Southwest Clinic for Women and Southwest Regional Medical Center.

Not one to actually rest, after his first retirement, he began working for the Mississippi Department of Health seeing patients and instructing their Nurse Practitioners all over the state from 2001- 2010. Having loved his earlier role as visiting teacher on occasion at Southwest School of Nursing, Dr. Langston also embarked on a teaching career at Jackson State University in their Masters / Doctorate program from 2004-2008. While a consultant for the Health Department, he was on numerous committees including serving as the chairman of the MS Folic Acid Council and representative of the National Folic Acid Council.  He was also vice chairman of the MS March of Dimes Program Services Committee and served on the MS Public Health Association executive council from 1999-2009.

In his next adventure, Dr. Langston joined the staff of King’s Daughters Medical Center in 2010 where he served as medical director of Kings Daughters Medical Clinic from 2010-2016. He continued to practice part-time in Brookhaven as a collaborative physician with Brookhaven Health and Wellness touching the lives of so many through his love for health care until just a few weeks ago.

Doc loved the Lord and his dear friends at J.J. White Presbyterian Church in McComb where he served as an elder for over 20 years.  His witness of God’s love and grace was evident in his servant’s heart whether it was at home, at church, or in the communities he cherished. McComb was special to him where he and Cherie raised their three children and he volunteered in everything from Little League Baseball Coach to McComb High School football, serving as team doctor for the 4A State Champions of 1984. When a holiday came around, he absolutely loved setting up haunted houses at Hughs and Otken or anything that had to do with fall festivals and Christmas.  After family and work, Doc’s two favorite things were Ole Miss sports and golf and he loved all his Fernwood golf buddies.

Most of his volunteer time during his years in Brookhaven was as his most treasured title, Grandfather.  Doc was loved by family and friends, colleagues and patients and we are all blessed for having had him in our lives. Many people are to thank for the care Doc received during his illness, in particular, Dr. Justin Baker and Dr. Paul Dykes.  His family would like to express their sincere appreciation and love to the nurses and staff of Kings Daughters Medical Center, especially the dear nurses of two surgical, and Hospice Ministries.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the First United Methodist Church of Brookhaven or the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

To express your thoughts to the family, you may visit riverwoodfamily.com and click on his name to leave a comment.