Obituary of Barbara Mann Ledford

Barbara Mann Ledford, age 79, of Sylva, NC passed away Monday, April 20, 2015. She is survived by her husband of 61 years Raymond Ledford, three children, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. Barbara and Raymond's eldest daughter, Lt. Colonel Holly Ginn, of San Antonio, TX will be retiring from the U.S. Air Force this May. She and her husband, Jeff, will be residing in Sylva beginning in June. Holly's two children, Clay (25) and Corbin (23), reside in the San Antonio area. Their middle daughter, Gretchen Fincher, and her husband, Ken, have four children: Savannah (24), Ben (19), Tim (13) and Shea (11) and one grandchild, Archer (2). All reside in Austin, TX. The youngest of their children, Raymond Samuel Ledford, Jr., or "Ray," and his wife, Alison, of Charlotte, NC have three children: Will (12) and Caroline and Davis (9). Barbara's first love was her family and she took enormous delight in her children, grandchildren and great grandchild. There was nothing in the homemaking arena with which she did not excel. She's well-known all over Jackson and Macon Counties for her excellent cooking, gardening, canning and sewing. She loved to travel and was an avid reader. A truer friend could not be found, nor a woman more selfless. Barbara was a strong fighter and yet continued to love life until the end. She will be immensely missed by all her family and friends, but there's great comfort in knowing she is no longer troubled by physical pain and sickness. Barbara is now able to rest and rejoice with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The family will receive friends at Appalachian Funeral Service Saturday, April 25 from 10:00am-11:00am. The family will then celebrate the life of Barbara at Webster Methodist Church at 12:00pm, one hour after the visitation. In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to the Jackson County Public Library at 310 Keener St. Sylva, NC 28779. Appalachian Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.