Neva Jane Langley
Neva Jane Langley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Neva Jane Langley January 25, 1933 |
| Died | November 18, 2012 (aged 79) |
| Education | Wesleyan College |
| Occupation | Television celebrity |
| Title | Miss America 1953 |
| Predecessor | Colleen Kay Hutchins |
| Successor | Evelyn Ay |
| Spouse |
William A. Fickling Jr.
(m. 1955) |
| Children | 4 |
Neva Jane Langley Fickling (January 25, 1933 – November 18, 2012) was an American actress and beauty queen who was crowned Miss America 1953.
Early years
Langley was born in Lakeland, Florida, the daughter of Roy and Rosie Langley. She began taking piano lessons when she was 7 years old, and at 13 she became the regular pianist for a church. Additionally she played for activities in her community.
In 1950, Langley graduated from Lakeland High School, where she was a cheerleader and was elected homecoming queen. She attended Florida Southern College for one year.[1] As a college sophomore she transferred to Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. While attending that college she became Miss Macon, Miss Georgia, and then Miss America 1953.[2]
Miss America
Ms. Langley's first television appearance as Miss America was on What's My Line (September 14, 1952) as the mystery guest. She rode the grand prize most-beautiful float by a commercial firm, called "America The Beautiful", in the January 1, 1953 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.[3] During her reign as Miss America, she was hospitalized for one week with pneumonia.[4] She was also known for being the only Miss Georgia to win the Miss America pageant until Betty Cantrell was crowned Miss America 2016, sixty-three years later.
Career
In 1954 Langley began working on television as assistant to Bill Lowery on his program on WLW-A in Atlanta, Georgia. She played the piano on the show and provided "a touch of beauty and glamor to the proceedings".[5]
Exhibitions
Langley has been featured in museum exhibitions, including a display at the Kimball Art Center (2009)[6] of eleven original gowns worn in beauty pageant competitions and during her reign as Miss America, and the exhibition "Georgia's Miss Americas" at the Museum of Arts and Sciences (Sept. 23, 2017–Jan. 14, 2018).[7]
Personal life
Langley married insurance executive, William Arthur Fickling Jr. on December 30, 1954, in Lakeland[8] and was the mother of four children (William, Jane, Julia and Roy).[4][9]
On November 18, 2012, Langley died of cancer at the age of 79.[10]
References
- ^ White, Gary (January 25, 2007). "Our Beauty Queen". The Ledger. Florida, Lakeland. pp. A 1, A 8 A 9. Retrieved March 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Associated Press (1952-09-25). "Home Town Gives Miss America Noisy Welcome". Sarasota Herald. p. 7.
- ^ Associated Press (1953-01-03). ""Miss America" Rides In Rose Parade". Sarasota Herald Tribune. p. 1.
- ^ a b Tauber, Michelle; Neill, Mike; Russell, Lisa; Fowler, Joanne; Dam, Julie; Tresniowski, Alex; Miller, Samantha; Dougherty, Steve; Yu, Ting (October 16, 2000). "American Beauties: 80 Years". People.
- ^ "Beautiful Addition to Bill Lowery Show". The Atlanta Journal. June 12, 1954. p. 3. Retrieved March 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Nicholls, Jennie (2009-08-16). "Dresses tell story of Miss America 1953". Deseret News. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
- ^ "Georgia's Miss Americas | Museum of Arts and Sciences". Retrieved 2020-03-07.
- ^ "Lakeland's Miss America, Neva Jane Langley, Is Wed". The Florida Times-Union. Florida, Jacksonville. Associated Press. December 31, 1954. p. 14. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
- ^ "Neva Jane Fickling Obituary - Macon, GA".
- ^ "Georgia's Only "Miss America" Neva Fickling Passes Away Sunday". 41 NBC. Retrieved 2012-11-19.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
External links