Betty J. Ledford went home to be with her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, February 28, 2021. She was surrounded by her loving family and the caregivers at Hospice of Cleveland County Wendover. Betty was born September 28, 1940 in Shelby, NC to the late Vernon and Gazzie Mode.

Betty lived in the Shelby area for her entire life. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. In her teenage years, she sang each week on the radio with a group of ladies, The Calvary Trio, from Calvary Baptist Church. She spent many years as a Sunday School teacher and choir member at Double Springs Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Shelby High School and served for over 19 years as an Assistant Fire Marshall for the City of Shelby. She was a pioneer in getting a fire education curriculum in the school system. She was honored by the fire safety industry numerous times for her efforts and work in teaching fire education to many children. She and her husband, Tommy, spent many years hosting holiday get-togethers for her extended family at their "barn" near Boiling Springs, NC. Getting together with her family to eat and socialize was one of her favorite things to do. She also loved and enjoyed her beach house at Myrtle Beach, SC for over 28 years. She shared it with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She spent many years with the family at the beach and developed many long-term friendships from the people she met there.

Betty was adored by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Gazzie Mode and an infant daughter, Teresa Jo. She is survived by her husband, Tommy Ledford, her daughters, Robin Kiser (John) and Beth Cabaniss, and her step-sons, Greg Ledford and Don Ledford (Jennifer). Also surviving are her constant companions, her dogs Maddie Grace and Chance. Betty is survived by three sisters and one brother: Marilyn Bridges (the late Frank Bridges), Becky Smith (the late Bill Smith), Sheila Wellmon, and Tommy Mode (Gayle Mode). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dr. Stephanie Kiser of Boston, MA and Matt Kiser (Abby) of Statesville, NC and her great-grandchildren Corban Kiser and Callie Kiser. In addition she has a number of nieces and nephews as well as extended family who loved her very much.

Betty had many caregivers at Hospice Wendover that she adored. Her daughters, Robin and Beth, and her sister, Becky Smith, and other family members lovingly spent many hours by her bedside during the last year and a half of her life.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00pm on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Harold Beam officiating. Burial will follow the funeral at Sunset Cemetery where she will be buried beside her daughter, Teresa Jo.

The family will be at the home of John and Robin Kiser in Boiling Springs, NC.

Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 320 Old Boiling Springs Rd., Shelby, NC 28150 or to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.

Cecil Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.

Online condolences can be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com