Marilyn Emma Ledbetter

Marilyn Ledbetter was born November 12, 1928 in Bakersfield, California to Aubrey Richard Stotler and Helen Cox Stotler. She died at home with family at her side battling a recurring cancer. Marilyn grew up in the Kern Oil Fields not far from Gordon's Ferry. She was the third child among four children and was preceded in death by all three, Bob, Jean and Dick. Marilyn attended Aztec and Kern County High School. Right after high school, she went to work for Tidewater Oil Company, and then in 1948, she met and married Jim Ledbetter, our father. By 1950, a family was on the way and Marilyn quit her job at Tidewater to raise her children. As kids, we remember mom as energetic and thrifty. She worked hard at whatever she was doing. First and foremost, she was a dedicated mother, a Sunday school teacher and volunteer for all our school activities. She was always there to support and cheer us up, to advise and warn us, and to celebrate life with us. This will be a hard day to recover from. Later on, she and her former husband became successful owners of a small business for many years until retirement. Marilyn was a proud American and cancer survivor. She appreciated each and every day and loved her family. She had a strong affection for all animals, especially her dog Trixie. Instead of television, she listened to the radio for news every morning. Some of her favorite things were planting spring flowers, feeding hummingbirds, reading, crossword puzzles and chocolate. However, politics was her specialty, a topic with only one side. She loved baseball, college football and NASCAR. Sadly, Kevin Harvick has lost one of his most devoted fans. The family would like to thank Rosemary Petersen for her friendship and her loyalty to mom. We would also like to thank Dr. Robert Laughlin for his special care and support, all the staff at Optimal Hospice, her nurses Sheri and Charla and Aretha. This is not goodbye mom. This is see you later. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Aubrey and Helen Stotler; a sister Jean Day; two brothers Bob and Dick Stotler. She is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Rhodes and husband Dennis, Houston, Texas, and Becky Arguedas, Bakersfield, California; her two grandchildren, Christopher Stayton, Bakersfield and Tracee Rhodes, College Station, Texas. Survivors also include sister-in-law Pat Stotler and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Monday, October 7, 2013 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and graveside services will be held Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 9101 Kern Canyon Road. If you would like to make a donation in Marilyn's name, please consider Optimal Hospice, American Cancer Society or your local SPCA.