Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Alice Langford.

Alice Elaine Rist Langford died on April 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The daughter of Albert F. Rist and Esther Maxwell Rist, she was born December 11, 1926 on the family farm near Humboldt, Nebraska. She was the youngest of five children and attended a one room schoolhouse until high school.

While at University she was employed in the Oklahoma regional office of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as a secretary. Immediately following graduation, she moved to Indianapolis to work as a secretary in the department of Missionary Organizations of The United Christian Missionary Society of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In 1951 she was promoted to National Director of Program Coordination in the Department of Christian Women’s Fellowship. She helped to prepare materials for this new women’s organization of the denomination and visited churches in various parts of the United States and Canada. She continued in this position until 1955.

In 1953 she was married to Alec John Langford, of New Zealand, a recent graduate of Butler School of Religion (now Christian Theological Seminary). The Langfords lived in Indiana, Virginia, Great Britain and Illinois where Dr. Langford served as minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

In 1975 the Langfords returned to Indianapolis where Rev. Langford became Senior Minister at Central Christian Church. Mrs. Langford worked for the Division of Homeland Ministries (now known as Disciples Home Missions), again beginning as a secretary. She was chosen to direct the 1978 International Christian Women’s Fellowship Quadrennial Assembly at Purdue University. Later she directed the 1982 Assembly at Purdue. She worked with congregational Christian Women’s Fellowships as the Director of Stewardship and Worship. While working in this capacity she served as a member of the Commission on Stewardship at the National Council of Churches.

In 1984 she was elected Treasurer and Executive of Finance for the Division of Overseas Ministries (now known as Disciples Overseas Ministries) and served in this position until her retirement at the end of 1991. While there she traveled widely visiting missionaries and partner churches. She was a member of the board of Agricultural Missions and Church World Service, National Council of Churches. She also served as President of the Board of Interchurch Medical Assistance (now IMA World Health).

Since her retirement, Mrs. Langford has served as President of Indianapolis Church Women United and Area 5 Representative on the Board of Indiana Church Women United. An active member of Northwood Christian Church, she has been an elder, choir member, President of Christian Women’s Fellowship, chairperson of World Outreach, Worship and Budget Committees.

She is survived by her sons Kevin and Scott (Sheryl) Langford and two daughters Lesli Lanteigne (Ken) and Fiona Rademacher (Matt) and four grandchildren, Nicole Lanteigne McRaney (Colin), Benjamin Lanteigne and Isobel and Ashton Rademacher and two great grandchildren Rhys and Alec McRaney. She is also survived by six nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Dr. Alec Langford, her parents and two brothers Lawrence and Owen Rist and sisters Janice Fenton and Inez Cocke.

In lieu of flowers, a Memorial Gift may be made to Northwood Christian Church; to the Alice Rist Langford Fund at Global Ministries or by mail at P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206; or to Quench and Connect or by mail at P.O. Box 60432, San Diego, CA 92166.