Naomi Harriett Ledbetter, 96, passed away quietly at her home on Friday morning, December 16, 2016. She was the daughter of the late Rev. Walker L. Ledbetter and Maggie Fisher Ledbetter and was predeceased by seven siblings.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, December 22 at St. John CME Church, 350 NW Crawford Place. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 PM, prior to the service.

A loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend, Naomi gave her love freely and unconditionally. She was predeceased by her oldest daughter, Barbara Herring and son-in-law, Donald Spencer. Her surviving children are: Ann (Robert) Hunt, Jerry (Lynette) Ledbetter, Ray Ledbetter, Jacqueline Spencer, Oscar (Sallie) Ledbetter, Miriam (David) Wagner, Tyrone (Derreka) Ledbetter, Linda (Nathaniel) Fox, Bernadette (LaVaughn) Booker, Donna Andrews (Calvin Hendrickson). She is also survived by her sister, Mamie L. Turner, sister-in-law, Aron Ledbetter and son-in-law, Richard Herring. In addition, Naomi is the matriarch of 26 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild.

She graduated from Atkins High School and began work in the tobacco industry. She ultimately retired from Export Leaf Tobacco where she developed the process used to "tie" tobacco squares. Besides providing support to her family, she enjoyed crafts and creating dolls.

Ms. Ledbetter loved St. John CME Church where she was a member of the Missionary Society, Gospel Choir and Russell Bible Class. For more than 30 years she actively served as an usher and stewardess. When she could no longer actively serve, she maintained emeritus status. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, worshipping in the church, and watching her progeny grow in faith.

The family wants to acknowledge the special support given to Naomi by caregivers, Millicent Cunningham, Karen Dendy, Whitney Gregg, and innumerable friends and church members.

For a copy of the funeral program, click here