Mary Margaret Ledbetter

Mary Margaret (Smith) Ledbetter passed away on July 26, 2015. Born in Oklahoma City to Minor and Olive Smith on January 14, 1920, she attended Wilson Elementary School, Harding Junior High and Classen High School. Entering the University of Oklahoma a year early, she joined her beloved sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in English, she went to business school to gain secretarial skills. Mary Margaret knew Gene Ledbetter most of her life. They were married April 22, 1944. While Gene was overseas in the Army, she worked as the personal secretary to Bill Payne, head of Big Chief Oil. With the war ending and Gene returning, Mary Margaret began her new life as the wife of a fledgling attorney and a mother. Always fun, gregarious and full of energy, she loved people and was blessed with many friends. She was involved with many organizations including the Junior League, Theta Alumnae, Philomathea, Oklahoma Art League, Dig and Hope Garden Club, Preface and Thursday Book Clubs and Odd Lots Investment Club. Mary Margaret was raised a Methodist but joined Westminster Presbyterian Church with her Presbyterian husband. At Westminster, she served as a Deacon, a member of the Julia Circle and a volunteer at Westminster Manor. Bridge and gardening were her passions and she was a gracious hostess and great cook. One of her favorite activities was doing water aerobics at the North Side “Y” attending class five days a week until she was 94. Mary Margaret’s greatest qualities were her kindness, devotion and generosity to her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene P. Ledbetter, Jr., and her brother, Melvin M. Smith. Mary Margaret is survived by her three daughters, Mary Lynn West, Helen Dailey and husband Pat and Margaret Joplin and husband Michael of Tucson, AZ. She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Reed and Brinker Dailey, Malyn Joplin Dahlin and Melanie Joplin and her three great grandsons, Westin, Waylin and Sonny Dahlin. A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Saturday, August 1st, at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church.