Louise Thurmond Ledford

Roy Eugene Ledford, age 94, and Louise (Thurmond) Ledford, age 92, of Cleveland, Georgia, passed away exactly twelve hours from each other; Roy on December 17 and Louise on December 18, 2023. They were married for more than 74 years.

Louise was born in Clarkesville, Georgia on January 31, 1931, to the late Elisha D. Thurmond and Cora Mae Thurmond. She was also preceded in death by daughter Barbara Lisa Ledford, as well as her siblings: Carlton Thurmond, Marvin Thurmond, Kathleen Blalock, Lola Belle Denton, Bernice Gerrells, Mary Garmon, Iretha West, Ethel Autry, and Carmel Alexander. Louise was an avid gardener, and an excellent cook and seamstress; she loved a good book and a walk outside. She was devoted to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Most of all she was devoted to her husband, Roy, and they moved often during his military career.  When he retired and they settled back in Cleveland, GA, she was thrilled to once again enjoy active relationships with her remaining sisters, brother and numerous nieces and nephews.

Roy was born in Tucker, Georgia on October 14, 1929, to the late Benjamin D. Ledford and Mattie Estelle (Cooper) Ledford. He was also preceded in death by his brothers Clarence D. Ledford and Charles M. Ledford, and sister Evelyn Welch. Roy served in both the United States Army and the newly formed United States Air Force.  Besides being in-country during the Korean and Vietnam Wars (Red Horse 823rd Civil Engineering Squadron), he served in many other assignments to include Okinawa, Japan; Nome, Alaska; Bermuda and numerous other locations in the United States, culminating in twenty-two years in uniform serving the country he loved. After retirement from the service he began farming and gardening, and he could make anything grow.  Roy also became a skilled woodworker.  He especially enjoyed making old fashioned puzzles and toys and became known as the “Toy Man”, giving talks and presentations at schools all over North Georgia.  Roy loved nothing more than a good story, which he shared with enthusiasm.

Roy and Louise are survived by their daughters Linda E. Harris (James Smoot) of Sautee, GA and Shari Frazier (David) of Gainesville, GA; five grandchildren: Ashley Hayne Harris (Haley Stovall) of Cleveland, GA, Leslie Myers of Decatur, GA, Mandi Hutchinson (William) of Golden, CO, Eli Frazier of Gainesville, GA and Samantha Reinshagen of Athens, GA; five great-grandchildren: Jackson Harris of Toccoa and Cleveland, GA, Oliver Myers of Decatur, GA, Henry Myers of Decatur, GA,  Roy Frazier of Gainesville, GA, Audie Harris of Cleveland, GA and Benjamin Hutchinson of Golden, CO.

The family thanks all the people who cared for Roy and Louise toward the end of their lives: the staff at Laurel Lodge Assisted Living, sitters from Right at Home and the wonderful people with Northeast Georgia Hospice.

Graveside Services are scheduled for Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Gateway Memory Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Charles Smithgall Humane Society in Sautee, GA, who found a new home for their beloved Lucy.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, visit 

barrettfh.com.

Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland.