FRANKLIN – “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” – Psalm 116:15. What better legacy to have than being remembered as a sweet, precious child of God? Frances Annette Henderson Ledford leaves that legacy.
The most important part of Frances’s life was her Christian walk, and, in 1971, Frances became a member of Iotla Baptist Church. There she made many friends and was known as a kind approachable lady. Frances took her discipleship seriously, enjoyed reading the Bible, and was an active prayer warrior. She regularly retreated to her prayer closet, furnished with a table, scriptures, and names of those in need of prayer. Her love for God and her enduring faith directed her life.
Second was her love of family. Frances was fortunate to be born into a loving close-knit family. Her parents, John Henry Henderson Sr. and Annie Rebecca Cates Henderson, reared Frances and her siblings in Knoxville, Tennessee. Frances always loved to keep in touch, and one of her favorite things to do was chat with her sisters on the telephone. In 1955, Frances met the love of her life, Spence Roosevelt Ledford, and they married in Walhalla, South Carolina, in 1956. They were married for 51 years until his death in 2007. Frances and Spence were parents of a son, Tony Ledford. Frances absolutely adored Tony and his wife, Wanda.
Frances was such a gentle person. She always cautioned “Be careful” to everyone she came in contact with. When teased about being a worrier, Frances explained she was not worried, she was just concerned.
Frances loved Christian literature and songs. She especially enjoyed reading Guidepost magazines and listening to music from the Gaither Gospel Series. If Frances’s television was on, you could be sure she was watching old game shows or the RFD channel; or, even better than television, she took pleasure in watching the hummingbirds at their feeder and the other birds enjoying the suet feeder.
Frances, who was born on Dec. 21, 1935, went on to Glory on Sept. 10, 2021. She was predeceased by her husband and her parents along with her siblings, John H. Henderson Jr., Eunice Roberts, James E. Henderson, Ed Henderson, and Mary Nell Henderson, who died as an infant. Surviving are her son, Tony, and his wife, Wanda. Also surviving are her siblings, Betty Hambrick, Patsy Henderson, and Diana (Bumpy) Henderson all of Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, and Dorcas Sanford of Parrish, Alabama.
A service for Frances was held at Iotla Baptist Church on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial was in the church cemetery. Pastor Brandon Breedlove, Rev. Steve Reeves, and Rev. Kevin Roberts officiated. Pallbearers were nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Iotla Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1537 Iotla Church Rd., Franklin, NC 28734.
Moffitt Family Funeral Care is honored to serve Mrs. Ledford’s family.