Laura Ellen Lankster

On January 12, 1948, Laura Ellen was born to Mr. Wilke Overton, Sr. and Mrs. Alsamie Overton in Austin, Texas. Laura's parents introduced her to the Lord at an early age and emphasized the value of having a relationship with God. At the age of 12, she was baptized at the Friendly Will Missionary Baptist Church. The second of five children, Laura enjoyed playing and reading as a child. Her parents required her to be active in church, for which as an adult, she was immensely grateful. Growing up, she was a part of the Baptist Training Union (BTU) and sang in the choir.

Laura attended the segregated Brackenridge Elementary School, Kealing Junior High School, and L.C. Anderson High School before attending the newly immigrated Travis High School for her senior year.

As a young adult, Laura moved to Compton, California to join her older sister, Jo Ollie, in pursuing better opportunities.
She enrolled in Compton College and obtained an Associate of Arts degree. She was also an alumna of California State University-Long Beach.
Laura married Saul Lankster and gave birth to Saul Edward Lankster, III and Anthony Douglas Lankster. Laura treasured her sons and found motherhood most rewarding. She liked supporting her sons in their respective endeavors. She traveled to various locations around the country, from little league to college, to support Saul III, as he played sports. Laura also deeply enjoyed serving with Anthony on the Usher Board at Double Rock Missionary Baptist Church.

She specifically asked that her sons remember to "Trust in the Lord always!"

When she moved to California, she joined Tabernacle Baptist Church in Los Angeles and later joined Double Rock, where she was an active member. In the years preceding her death, she joined First Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church in Compton, where she served as a bookkeeper and Sunday School teacher.

Laura worked for AT&T for 39 years and retired as a Data Administrator. She was an excellent seamstress and photographer and enjoyed volleyball and basketball.

After surviving pancreatic cancer for 3 years, Laura joined her parents, her sister Jo Ollie O'Gilvie, her brother Wilke Overton, Jr., and other beloved family members in heaven on the morning of Wednesday, March 10, 2021.

Left to treasure pleasant memories are her sons--Saul Edward Lankster III of Compton and Anthony Douglas Lankster of Carson; her sisters-JoAnn Overton of Compton and Janice Russell-Overton of Austin, Texas; her brother Terry Overton of Austin, Texas; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Long Beach, California.