Bobby Miles Ledford, 84, of Murphy, passed away beautifully and peacefully at his home Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019.
He was born Nov. 20, 1935, in Cherokee County to the late Lester Ellis Ledford and Hattie Shuler Ledford.
He served as deacon and was a lifelong charter member of Temple Baptist Church in Murphy. As a deacon, he loved visiting people. He enjoyed attending Singing in the Smokies for many years.
He was a wonderful provider, and enjoyed working and gardening, raising chickens and cattle, vanilla ice cream and his family.
He is also preceded in death by his brother, Charles Ledford; and sister, Frances Ledford Cook.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shelby Ledford; children, Debbie Ledford Whitener (Steve), Linda Ledford Padgett (the Rev. Don Padgett) of Copperhill, Tenn., Paul Ledford of Granite Falls, Minn., and Timothy Ledford of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; brothers, Harold Ledford (Sue) of Buford, Ga., Ray Ledford (Joy) of Cleveland, Tenn., Randall Ledford (Linda) of Chatsworth, Ga., Ellis Ledford (Carol) of Atlanta, Ga., and Joe Ledford of Epworth, Ga.; sister, Bernice Hancock of Marietta, Ga.; sisters-in-law, Jeanie Ledford of Atlanta, and Mary Sue Woodring of Sylva; grandchildren, Stephanie Jennings (Casey), Rachel Whitener, Andy Padgett (Mary), Amanda Sinard (Travis), Andrea Woody (Robert), Anna Raper (Dylan) and Kayla Robinson (Hunter); Nana and Papaw Bobby’s special grandchildren, Lauren Ledford, Gracie Ledford, Sarah Ledford, Anna Kate Ledford and Jacob Ensley; and great-grandchildren, Lilly Padgett, Nathaniel Padgett, Abbie Sinard, Sammie Sinard, Cassie Sinard and Ethan McClain.
Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, from Temple Baptist Church in Murphy, with the Revs. Wayne Morgan, Harvey Ware and Don Padgett officiating. Music was provided by Norma Wallace, the Whitener Family, the Rev. Wayne Morgan, Rose Jones and Stacey Bandy.
Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Travis Sinard, Dylan Raper, Joe Wood, Kendric McDonald, Dillon McDonald and Robert Woody. Honorary pallbearers were Randall Shields, Rick Ledford, Robert Ensley, Joseph Crowe, Joshua Bandy, Jacob Bandy and Jerry Bandy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Temple Baptist Church Mission Fund at 11 Simonds Chapel Road, Murphy, NC 28906; or to Gideon’s International.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at akinsfuneralhome.com.
Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill, Tenn., was in charge of arrangements.