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FRANKIE LEDFORD

Frankie Ledford, 86, of Hayesville died Wednesday (September 14, 2005) in Houston, TX after an extended illness. She was the daughter of the late Hardy Frank and Rose Hogsed Cassada and the wife of the late James Paul Ledford. She attended Woman's College (University of North Carolina at Greensboro). Frankie worked in the school system and had a large poultry farm. She was a member of the Oak Forest United Methodist Church.

She was a loving Mother, Mother-in-law, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, and Friend. She will be remembered for her love of growing an abundant garden, preserving garden products, her black walnut cake, crocheting over 125 afghans for family and friends, quilting, talking on the telephone and in her last few years, doing her Word Search. Most of all, she will be remembered for her strong independence even with being faced with Alzheimer. She has faced many hardships but her strong and independent spirit pulled and pushed her through each one. She was most proud of her natural red hair with very few sprinkles of gray at age 86. She was a wonderful, caring, and loving Mother who was always proud of her daughters.

Many thanks to everyone who helped her when she was still at home on Jarrett Road.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Gail Ledford Lowder; a sister, Lillian Thomas; and three brothers, Blaine, Jim, and Neal Cassada.

Surviving are a daughter, Karen Rogers and husband, Joel of Sugar Land, TX; a sister, Joyce Bryant of Franklin; a granddaughter, Denise Sharp and husband, Doug of Manassas, VA; a great granddaughter, Jennifer Miles of Manassas, VA; a son-in-law, Bill Lowder of Springfield, VA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services at 3:00 PM Sunday (Sept. 18) in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville with the Revs. Jacob Kyker and Jackie Sellers officiating. Burial in Union Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers: Frank Ledford Jr., Tony Bryant, Fred Martin, Harry Jarrett, Denny Ledford, Phil Royce, Wayne Jensen, and Bert Rogers.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 Saturday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville.

Condolences can be sent to Karen Rogers at 3715 Pecan Bay Court, Sugar Land, TX 77478. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in loving memory of Frankie Ledford to the Alzheimer's Association, Western Carolina Chapter, Mountain Region Office, 31 College Place, Suite D320, Asheville, NC 28801-2644.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville is in charge of all arrangements.

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