Ella F. Hunt Langford passed April 27, 2026 at the Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.  She was born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, to the late James Daniel and Luvenia Parham Hunt.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Irish Hill and Jean Hunt; a daughter-in-law, Nicole Langford and a nephew, James Hill. She is survived by her son, Samuel Martin Langford of North Chesterfield, Virginia; two sisters, Carol Leigh (Romelio) of Cincinnati, Ohio and Diane Hamilton of Henrico, Virginia; one devoted brother, Royal Hunt (Shelia) of Surry, Virginia; grandchildren, Sheria and Kysean Pettis of Richmond, Virginia; three nieces, Cheryl Butler, Adriana Leigh and Jamiesha Clay; three nephews, Terrence Hill, Royal Hunt, Jr. and John Hunt along with a host of great nieces and great nephews; and a number of cousins and friends.

She was baptized at an early age at Providence Baptist Church in Prince George County. Although she later became a member of other churches, she continued to visit Providence over the years. More recently, she was a member of St. Paul's Baptist Church in Richmond where she was a faithful member until her health deteriorated.

Ella began her education at Providence Elementary School and later attended J.E.J. Moore High School. After the family moved to Chesterfield County in 1960, she transferred to Carver High School in Chester. Following high school graduation, Ella enrolled in Virginia State College (now University) to study Sociology.  When she received her Bachelor's degree in 1967, she became the first member of her family to graduate from college.  Post graduation, she accepted a position at Bedford Hills School in Bedford Hills, New York where she worked for several years before leaving to pursue her Master's degree in social work from Columbia University. Continuing her educational pursuits, she received a Mental Health Certificate from Harvard University in 1987 and pursued work toward a Doctorate from Howard University.

Following graduation from Columbia, Ella returned to Virginia and continued what was to be a long career within the social work community. Although, she spent most of her career in Virginia, she relocated briefly to work in Pittsburgh becoming a committed Steelers fan during this period. She returned to Virginia to live permanently in the mid-70s.

Ella's social work career was distinguished by several achievements. While a grad student at Columbia, she was part of the research team that developed the five stages of grief.  She was also one of the first black Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) in the state of Virginia and established the Ettrick Clinic, which became Chesterfield County's first public clinic dedicated to serving minority populations. In the early 1980s she worked with the Barrow Geriatric Treatment Center at Central State Hospital and later with the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (now Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development) in the development of deinstitutionalization policy for public health facilities.  Later, while working at the Medical College of Virginia, she developed protocol for the delivery of social work services to help heart and liver transplant patients.  Ella founded Premier Foster Care Inc. in 2009 and served as CEO and President until 2022.  Her deep passion for social work and for children led her to establish PFTC in Richmond where she focused on recruiting, training and licensing therapeutic foster homes for children with severe emotional and behavioral needs. Through this work, she helped create nurturing, trauma-informed environments, always striving toward stable, permanent placements while supporting foster families along the way.  In recognition of her work in private and public social work, she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Social Workers – Virginia Chapter.  In addition, she was an early member of the Richmond Black Social Workers Chapter.

Ella enjoyed traveling with her son and had a special affinity for Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts where she spent time with relatives. Until her health failed, she was an avid swimmer and would frequently travel to Virginia Beach to swim in the ocean. Ella enjoyed watching sports, especially football, golf and tennis.  When she was able, she enjoyed cooking and her homemade rolls were always a favorite at holiday gatherings.  Her other passions included hosting and bringing the family together, telling family stories and researching the family's history.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of VCU Health Medical Center especially Kevin Brigle, Kristina Fernandez and Sarah Braun. We are extremely appreciative of the support we received from members of the Richmond Chapter of the Black Social Workers. Special thanks to Valerie Carter-Williams, Larneil Vaughter, Gloria Dudley and Sandra Peay. Thanks also to Deborah Wills.  Sophronia Pettiford, the staff at Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and Ella's neighbors.  Finally, a heartfelt thanks to our brother, Royal Hunt, Sr.  For the past few years, he has made major sacrifices to ensure Ella received the best care possible.  For your perseverance, devotion and care, we are forever in your debt.

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Friday, May 8, 2026, in the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Roscoe Jones, eulogist.

A wake will be held from 7:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the funeral establishment.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Virginia State University Alumni Association.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/5918512?fl=so&fe=fs