Melanie Paige Ledford

Melanie Paige Creson Ledford, 50, joined her heavenly Father on November 11, 2019, surrounded by her family. She had a brave 11-month battle with colon cancer and lived many years with chronic autoimmune liver disease.  Melanie was born in Marion, North Carolina on November 9, 1969 to Daniel Wayne Creson (Louise) and Wanda Hollifield Creson.  On February 10, 1996 she married Keith Ray Ledford. 

She was preceded in death by her Maternal Grandparents Delmar Tom and Mae Taylor Hollifield; her Paternal Grandparents Daniel and Elizabeth Godwin Creson; and her father-in-law Roy Ledford. She attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Those left to remember her are her aunts and uncles: Gene Hollifield (Charlene), Anne Gallimore Hollifield, Debbie Creson Kimbel (Bill), Richard Creson (Tammy). Her cousins: Debbie Hollified Ayers (Jim), Sherry Hollifield Bryan (Fred), Eric Hollifield (Jennifer), Dr. Jason Kimbel (Beth), Derrick Creson, Daniel James “DJ” Creson, Dillon Creson, Devin Ray, and Kathy Taylor Ellis (Chris); her very close friend Teresa Ledford Hicks; Her mother-in-law Dorothy Ledford, brothers-in-law Danny Ledford (Sue) and Joey Ledford (Lori), sister-in-law Vicki Ledford Hensley (Greg), her many nieces and nephews, and the nurses at Duke University Medical Center who treated her “like a Queen”.  Also left to miss her are her faithful four-legged companions: Kassie and Cricket.

Melanie enjoyed many things in her life, beginning with twelve years of dance, playing the clarinet in high school, and being a majorette.  She attended Mars Hill College, majoring in Allied Health.  She enjoyed cheering Keith on as he played football there.  She was a representative in Student Government and a member of the Formal Committee.

Before Melanie retired due to her health disability, she worked as the Manager of Marion TV until 1995. Later, after college, she was Unit Coordinator at Marion Hospital and finally the Office Manager at Dr. Acree’s Family Practice office.  She was a Carolina Poodle Rescue volunteer.

Melanie was an avid fan of The Back-Street Boys, attending twenty-six concerts.  She loved spending time sitting in the sand at the beach watching people.  She was blessed to travel to Europe with First Baptist Church’s Youth Choir and loved going to Hawaii with her paternal Grandmother. She was a critique of banana pudding with the gold standard being her maternal grandmother’s recipe.

Most of her adult life, Melanie suffered with liver disease.  Her strength, generosity, inquisitive nature, and her perception about the world around her were awe inspiring.  She continued to put others before herself.  She was a silent servant and often would be an anonymous purchaser of medications, groceries, or clothes for those in need.   She would say “it only takes five seconds to smile or share a nice word or kind deed with someone to improve their day or bad situation”.  Her stories will be fondly remembered with smiles. May we all take five seconds to honor Melanie by sharing kind words with others.

A celebration of Melanie’s life will be held on Friday, November 15, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service with Pastor Phil Tate officiating.  Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., two hours prior to the service, at the funeral home.

Flowers are acceptable and appreciated.  Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Ledford’s memory are asked to consider, Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, North Carolina 28043 or a Humane Society of one’s choice.