James Ledbetter

Canton – James "Jay" Lawrence Ledbetter, age 87, of the Bethel Community, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at the Homestead. A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Johnathan Penland and Allie Jennings Chambers Ledbetter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Frankie Woody Ledbetter, who died in 1997; three brothers, Mack, Horace, and Samuel Thurman Ledbetter; a sister, Pearl Clark; and a son, Sammy Ledbetter, who died in 2004. James retired from Dayco Corporation with 34 years of dedicated service. He was an active member of Riverside Baptist Church. Jay was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, working in his garden or simply sitting in his rocking chair whittling. He will be remembered as one who was always on-the-go, hardworking, and placing others before himself. He never left his house without a homemade jar of jelly or molasses that he was ready to give away. His family was very special to him and he will be remembered for being a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his daughter, Bonnie Hampton of Waynesville; a son, Perry Ledbetter and his wife, Tammy, of Waynesville; a brother, Roy Ledbetter of Canton; a step-daughter, Gail Guy and her husband, Randy, of Canton; a step-son, Wade Reese and his wife, Vickie, of Waynesville; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2015 in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Steve Frazier officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Wells Funeral Home in Canton. At other times, the family will be at the residence of his daughter, Bonnie. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Haywood Baptist Association, P.O Box 628, Clyde, NC 28721.

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