Clara Ledford

On Saturday night May 27, 2017, Clara Crawley Ledford, age 78, passed from her daughters’ hands to God’s hands. She was born on April 2, 1939 to the late Guy Julius and Josephine Odom Crawley.

Clara enjoyed playing the piano in multiple churches. She also enjoyed collecting stamps and sea shells. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and had an unconditional love for everyone she met. Clara was truly an angel here on this earth and will be missed by all that knew her. Mrs. Ledford, as many youth knew her, at Glenwood and West Marion Elementary shared her deep love and compassion for all children, especially those from broken homes and with health issues. She often paid for childrens’ lunches and would sneak snacks into book bags to take home for evening nourishment. She loved lighthouses and had climbed to the top of most North Carolina lighthouses. Clara was a lighthouse lit by the love of God.

In addition to her parents, Clara is preceded in death by her sister, Judy Stroupe.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband of fifty-nine years Jack Daniel Ledford; step-mother, Alma Crawley of Marion; three daughters, Joann Spaleta (Jack) of Charlotte, Carolyn Slaughter (Jerry) of Asheville and Edna Jane Bickett (Joe- who she called “Amen Corner”) of Richmond, Virginia. Also surviving Clara are eight grandchildren, Jessica Spaleta, Jordan and Cayla Slaughter, Jessica, Nathan and Daniel Bickett, Addison Slaughter and Jef Spaleta.

A service to celebrate Clara’s life will be held on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Beam Funeral Service with Reverend Rick Woods and Mr. Paul Baker officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will follow the service at McDowell Memorial Park.