Garland Maynard Ledford

Garland Maynard Ledford, 94, died Friday, February 23, 2024, at Friends Homes West in Greensboro. A celebration of his life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, at Lawndale Baptist Church, where he was a member for 58 years.

Born in Magnolia, Arkansas, Maynard, or G. M. as he was known to his friends and co-workers, was the older child of Garland Wilburn Ledford and Margaret Ada Anthony Ledford of Chester, SC. After finishing his studies at what was then Gardner-Webb Junior College, he was a 1949 graduate of North Carolina State University with an Industrial Engineering degree. After working in Marcus Hook, PA upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force after the outbreak of the Korean War, serving as a radio instructor at Keesler Field in Biloxi, MS. After his discharge in 1954, he began his career as an industrial engineer with Burlington Industries, living in various towns in North Carolina until coming to the company’s headquarters in Greensboro in late 1965. He worked at Burlington Industries until his retirement in 1988.

While working and in retirement, he served Lawndale Baptist Church in many membership and leadership roles, including terms on the Board of Deacons. He later enjoyed singing in the Senior Choir and participating in the Senior Adult ministry. Throughout his life, he enjoyed being outdoors, whether camping, fishing, playing golf, growing flowers and vegetables, and he developed an industrious interest in wood-working, supplying the entire extended family with luggage racks, serving trays, side tables, and many useful items for years. Especially in retirement, he enjoyed travel, both near and far.

He is survived by his loving wife of 13 years, Nancy Goodson Parrott. Earlier, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Jacqueline Knott Ledford. He is also survived by his blended and extended family, including his son, Anthony Daniel Ledford of Winston-Salem; his son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth F. Ledford and Susan W. Holderness of South Euclid, OH; his devoted grandson, Peter Holderness Ledford of Raleigh, along with his wife Leilani Bissell Ledford, and his loving granddaughter, Sarah Holderness Ledford, of Atlanta and great-granddaughter, Naomi Angela Bissell; his sister, Janet Burgess of Greensboro; two sisters-in law, Patsy Wall Knott of Richmond and Jennifer Knott Melvin of Concord; 9 nieces and nephews; Nancy’s son, Stephen W. Parrott and his wife, Margot, of Charlotte; Nancy’s daughter Susan Parrott Harrison, of Summerfield; along with Nancy’s 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Opportunity for condolences to the family will be at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Lawndale Baptist Church Senior Adult Ministry or the Friends Homes Residents Assistance Fund.

Fond memories and online condolences may be left at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com for the Ledford family.