Rae Lankford – With Kids Forever in Her Heart

BY JACLYN ROSE –

Rae Lankford felt the Lord calling her to work with children over forty years ago, when she and her husband, Mitch, began teaching children’s church at Holly Creek Baptist Church in Dierks, Arkansas.  The group went from ten children to eighty-five and Lankford knew this would be her life’s work.

Lankford grew up in central Arkansas and graduated from White Hall High School in Pine Bluff.  She then went on to Henderson State University on a voice scholarship, where she met and married Mitch, 44 years ago.  “Mitch and I believe in putting God first, family second, and ourselves last.  I’m hoping we’ll be together 44 more years,” said Lankford with a smile.

The couple has two daughters, Tiffny and Candice.  “Tiffny has a doctorate in Physical Therapy and is in the process of adopting two foster children, along with the two children they already have.  Candice has a Master’s in Speech Therapy and is the Clinical Supervisor for all Speech Pathologists at the University of Central Arkansas, and is the mother of two little boys,” explained Lankford.

After discovering that children were her passion, Lankford moved to Mena and took a job with Head Start as a home visitor. She later became the director of the center, where she stayed for 15 years.  In 1998, Kid’s 1st, Incorporated, was established and many Polk County children have passed through their doors over the next 17 years.  In 2000, Kid’s 1st became a 3-Star Quality Center, and in 2004, became part of the ABC Program, which Lankford believes is the best in the state of Arkansas.

Lankford is quick to give God all the glory for her success as a preschool teacher.  “God worked it all out.  I always thought God gave me this purpose in life, to love children, and He also gave me the abilities and talents I needed to do it.  He also gave me the means.  I not only love the children, I love their families; being a part of each family gave me a greater blessing than I could have ever given them.  I never tried to make a difference based on race or ability instead, I loved them all the same.  To share the love of God and have them love me back has been just wonderful.  I did Children’s Chapel at Dallas Avenue Baptist Church for many years and lots and lots of musicals with the children.  I wanted them to have a love for learning and music,” explained Lankford.

After 17 years of serving the families of Polk County, Kid’s 1st will close on May 15, 2015 and Lankford will retire.  “Many of our children have graduated and gone on to college, some have married and have children of their own that we have in class now.  I think the thing I’m going to miss the most is giving lipstick kisses,” said Lankford with a smile.  “I hope to spend more time with my grandkids and my husband and I want to travel to Ecuador and have an adventure in our old age.  I have never imagined a life without little kids.  When I was young and singing everywhere, I wanted to be an evangelistic singer, I just didn’t realize it would be with little kids.  Without my family’s support I wouldn’t have been able to do it.  And I give my staff a lot of credit.”

“I love the people and their willingness to help others in Polk County.  I think this is a very giving community.  My husband and I also liked Polk County because it is a smaller community with a smaller school that is so wonderful.  I think the proof of that is in my two daughters and what they have accomplished because of the school and community they were brought up in,” Lankford said.

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

See author's posts