Rev. Randall VanLandingham, affectionaly known as “Bro. Randy”, passed away Thursday May 13, at his residence.
A retired United Methodist Minister, he was a member of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church and served several churches in the Conference including Ninth Street of Decatur and First Methodist of Hartselle.
He was the son of a Methodist minister, the late Rev. O. H. VanLandingham and Katie Hughes VanLandingham. He was also preseded in death by his sisters, Wilda, Nelda and his twin Rebecca.
Randall and his twin sister were named for the first Methodist Bishop in America, Bishop Francis Asbury, as his middle name is Asbury and Rebecca’s first name is Francis.
Randall graduated from Asbury College, and earned a Master’s degreee from Emory University. Following his graduation from Seminary, he was sent to Huntsville to start a new church. While there, he organized The Lakewood Methodist Church and received over 900 members. He had the honor of preaching the first sermon in the new church and also preaching on the church’s 50th anniversary. He grew up going to Camp Meetings and was the president of Bethlehem Family Camp, Bonifay FL for 37 years. The camp’s Welcome Center was named in his honor.
Randall met the love of his life, Sue Cantrell, when his father became the minister of her home church in Nashville. He absolutely adored her all the 65 years they were married. In addition to Sue, he is survived, by his children, Randall, Jr, Kerri Hall, and Kelli VanLandingham, of Washington, DC. Four grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, brother-in-law Luther Cantrell. Visitation will be Sunday from 1-3 and Service following at 3:00 with Rev. Charles Boling officiating. Burial will be Monday May 17, 12:00 noon at Woodlawn Cemetery Nashville wth Rev. Charles Betts officiating.
