Charles Hershel Ledford

Mr. Ledford, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, finished this life’s journey and went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 10, 2013. Hershel was born in Burningtown Township, Macon County, outside of Franklin, NC, on March 23, 1921. He married Maxie Jean Wild on June 20, 1948, and they made Charlotte, NC, their home.

Hershel is survived by two sons, Terry (Cheryl) of Easley, SC, and Tim (Kathy) of Indian Trail, NC. Hershel’s grandchildren are Ryan (Jennifer) Ledford of Matthews, NC; Kathryn (Christopher) Dean of Easley, SC; Michael (Jessica) Ledford of Townville, SC. Grandchildren are Jacob, Madison, and Tyler Ledford; Ava, Lillian, and Christian Dean; Noah Ledford; and Ethan and Reese Vaughan. Hershel is survived by brothers John (Betty) Ledford of Charlotte, NC; Jack Ledford of Castle Hayne, NC; and Clinton (Louise) Ledford of Franklin, NC.

Hershel is predeceased by his beloved wife Maxie; parents Fred Hershel and Dora Elsie Poindexter Ledford; brothers Lee, Howard, Crawford, Fred, and Bob; and sisters Annie, Elda, Virginia, Eva Jane, Mary Margaret, Ruth Mohota, and Betty Lou.

Hershel was first and foremost a Christian. Christ was the center of his life from the time he was baptized as a boy in a pool in the creek behind Oakdale Baptist Church in Macon County, NC. He read his Bible and prayed daily. Hershel’s lay ministry was heavily focused on giving young adults a strong spiritual foundation through Sunday School lessons, visitations, and social events. He was active in all facets of the church as a Deacon at Cornerstone Baptist (formerly Chantilly Baptist) Church, in Charlotte, NC. In later years, he enjoyed helping his wife Maxie serve Wednesday night suppers at church.

Hershel served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He received communications, including cryptography, training at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, before being deployed overseas. Hershel served as a Staff Sergeant and Message Center Chief with the 976th Signal Service Company and was stationed in Marrakech, North Africa, the Island of Corsica, and Italy in the Po-Arno River areas during the European conflict. His unit was en route to the Pacific Theater at the close of the war. After the war, Hershel continued to serve in the National Guard with the 378th Engineering Combat Battalion and attained the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Hershel was a graduate of Franklin High School. Prior to military service he was employee of Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company and returned to work in the Accounting Department in Charlotte, NC, after honorable discharge from the military. Hershel spent his entire working career with Southern Bell holding positions of Records Accounting Manager and Treasury Cashier for the North Carolina district. As a retiree, he was a member of the Telephone Pioneers.

Hershel was raised on a farm in the mountains of western North Carolina and grew up loving the outdoors. His church, family, and work were his primary focus, but in his spare time he liked to work in the yard. He was particularly proud of his garden and the spring and summer floral display from trees, shrubs, and bushes that he had planted. The family will receive friends starting a 6:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M. Thursday November 14, 2013 at Cornerstone Baptist Church 8947 Albemarle Road Charlotte, NC 28227. A service will be at 11:00 A. M. Friday in the Church Sanctuary conducted by Reverend Jerry Woolery and Reverend Glenn Gunter. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church, 8947 Albemarle Road, Charlotte, NC 28227. Condolences to www.mcewenfs.com