December 4, 2010

James W. Ledbetter Sr. entered into eternal rest after a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday evening, Dec. 4, 2010 at Nansemond Pointe Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Suffolk.

James was born on Dec. 11, 1938 to the late Mary Faulk Ledbetter and William H. Ledbetter Sr. of Whaleyville, Va. He attended Robertson Elementary School and East Suffolk High School and later transferred to Nansemond Training High School, where he graduated in the class of 1958. After graduation, he entered Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), where he earned an associate degree in industrial education in 1961. He later continued his studies at Norfolk State University. James joined the U.S. Army just after leaving Virginia State in 1961. He served for six years in the Army. After discharge from the Army, he returned to Suffolk, where he spent the rest of his life. He retired in 1998 after 31 years of faithful and loyal service from Public Works, Norfolk Naval Base in Norfolk, Va., as a heavy duty mechanic inspector. He also worked many years as a mechanic in the Suffolk community.

James was a life long member of Mineral Spring Baptist Church, where he served as chairman of the Deacon Ministry, as church clerk, and in other auxiliaries. He was a Trustee for Woodman of The World Insurance Society, Lodge No. 1 in Suffolk.

James is survived by his wife of 49 years, Evelyn F. Sears Ledbetter; three daughters, Jennifer (Everett), Allison (Bruce), both of Suffolk, Donna (William), of Charlotte, N.C.; two sons, James (Vanessa), of Baton Rouge, La., and Victor, of Atlanta, Ga.; 10 grandchildren; one brother, R. Linwood Ledbetter Sr. (Costellar); two sisters, Lillian L. Jones, of Suffolk, and Rozelia L. Forman (Leroy), of Petersburg, Va. He was preceded in death by his brother, William H. Ledbetter; two sisters, Ellen L. Silver and Ida Mae Baker. He also is survived by three other brothers-in-law; seven sisters-in-law; several nieces, nephews, Mineral Spring Church family, Lake Forest family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 10, 2010 at Mineral Spring Baptist Church, 4849 Mineral Spring Road, Suffolk, Va., officiated by the Rev. Dr. Madeleine Beard and Eulogist, the Rev. Barry Sessoms. Interment will be at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. A wake will be held at Crocker Funeral Home on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010 from 7 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Mineral Spring Baptist Church G.A. Speight Scholarship Fund or the Sickle Cell Association (P.O. Box 12227, Norfolk, VA 23541) in memory of James Ledbetter. Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.