Jerry Ledford

Jerry Ray Ledford, 67, of Hudson, NC, ended a courageous 9 1/2 year battle with dementia on Wednesday, January 18, 2017. He went home to be with his Lord on that day. Jerry fought a long and hard fight to overcome the effects of early-onset dementia, while struggling to maintain his relationships with his family and friends, and continue to participate in golf and drive his beloved Mustang. He loved to travel and enjoyed the spontaneity of life. Jerry retired from Clayton Marcus Furniture as their Traffic and Distribution Manager after 13 years, and had previously had a long career in traffic management with Anderson Trucking, Olde Dominion and Billings. He was born in Shelby, NC to Joseph and Nora Jones Ledford, and grew up in the Morganton area, where he graduated from Morganton High School and received an associate degree in accounting from Western Piedmont Community College. Jerry loved playing baseball and softball, and grew up playing on the dirt fields across from Broughton Hospital in Morganton with his five brothers and friends and neighbors. He played on a traveling team called the Kings that was sponsored by Budweiser. He also played for his church team at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hudson. Jerry coached softball for the Hudson Recreation Department. He loved watching and rooting for the Atlanta Braves! Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Nora Ledford, and one brother, Junior Ledford. In addition to his wife of 13 years, Janette S. Ledford (Jan), Jerry is survived by three daughters: Michele Vines, Kisah Isbell (John), and Amanda Ledford (Jason Wood). He also leaves seven grandchildren to cherish his memory, Kayla Baughman (Aaron), Nikki Hayworth (Adam), Candace Adams, Aliyah Adams, Malia Vines, Ryan Isbell, and Josie Herman. Jerry is also survived by one great granddaughter, Lila Grace Hayworth. Jerry has four surviving brothers: Donald Ledford, Tommy Ledford, Max Ledford and Steve Ledford. A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at Evans Funeral Service and Crematory on Saturday, January 21, 2017. Receiving from 4:00-5:00 PM, and service at 5:00 PM. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.evansfuneralservice.com Evans Funeral Service and Crematory of Lenoir are serving the Ledford family.