Shirley D. Ledford

HICKORY - Mrs. Shirley Dillard Ledford, 69, of Hickory, went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 17, 2009, after a brief illness. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and sister. Born Feb. 25, 1940, she was the daughter of the late William Ithel and Zora Greer Dillard. She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen V. Ledford; brothers, Ronda and Clyde Dillard; and sister, Marie Greene. She is survived by daughters, Beth Blanton and husband, David, of Hickory, and Pam Nelson and husband, Chancey, of New Iberia, La.; son, Jerry Nelson and wife, Geraldine, of Ashe; sisters, Kaye Reid, Dorothy Hendrix and Linda Jenkins and husband, Fred, all of Lenoir; brothers Grady Dillard and wife, Ann, of Aurora, Ill., Claude Dillard and wife, Trena, of Lenoir and James Dillard and wife, Martha, of North Wilkesboro; grandchildren, Jenna Pennell and husband, Steven, and Jamey Starnes, all of Hickory, Tyler, Analeigh and Gunner Nelson of New Iberia, La., and Wendy Nelson of Ashe; stepgrandchildren, Derick, Shawn and Aaron Blanton, all of Hickory; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was an active member of Gateway Baptist Church and the Tuesday Bible Study Group. A receiving for family and friends will be held Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Mackie-High Funeral Home in Granite Falls. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at Gateway Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jerome Walker and Pastor J. Randall Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Catawba Memorial Park, Hickory. Serving as pallbearers are Dave Nelson, Eric Jenkins, Lonnie Dillard, Dwayne Beard, Morgan Blanton and Jerry Frye. Flowers are greatly appreciated, but donations can also be made to the American Lung Association, P.O. Box 27985, Raleigh, N.C. 27611. Mackie-High Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Shirley D. Ledford.