Lillian Ledbetter Magruder

October 8, 1934 - April 19, 2025

Lillian Ledbetter Magruder lived a life guided by faith and a deep and abiding love of her family and friends. She was known for her graciousness, generosity, gentle sense of humor, and longstanding service to her church.

Born in Ruston, Louisiana to Leslie and Edna Ledbetter, she graduated from Ruston High School and Louisiana Tech University. She married the love of her life, Abbey Wailes Magruder, and together they built a life of meaning and purpose.

After a career as a legal secretary, Lillian wholeheartedly embraced the role of homemaker and created a home life filled with rich traditions that centered around family, faith, and friends. She was a gracious hostess whose warm hospitality welcomed friends from across the street and around the world.

Lillian quietly built up those around her. A fixture at her children’s sporting and extra-curricular events, she later crisscrossed the country, doing the same for her grandchildren for as long as she was able. Never one to judge others, she loved each person who entered her orbit with the same heart that covered her own family.

Always thinking of the little things that might bring a smile to someone’s day, Lillian had a decades-long practice of sending personally selected birthday cards to her extended family of well over one hundred people, her extensive community of friends, as well as all the members of Fondren Presbyterian Church.

She honored her late husband’s legacy by continuing his leadership role in American Clan Gregor Society, an organization celebrating his Scottish heritage, and for a number of years served as both Historian and Yearbook Editor. For many years, she and Abbey supported the Grandfather Mountain Highlanders bagpipe band, providing financial support for scholarships, competitions, and general operating expenses.

A long-time member of Fondren Presbyterian Church, her faith and leadership inspired generations as she took on roles at the local, Presbytery, Synod, and national levels.

Predeceased by her husband Abbey Wailes Magruder, Jr and son Leslie Charles Magruder, she is survived by her son Abbey Wailes (Tad) Magruder, III of Jackson, daughter Elizabeth Magruder Joiner (John) of Asheville, NC, and grandchildren Abbey Joiner, Charlie Magruder (Amelia), and Olivia Magruder.

Tad and Elizabeth wish to thank the phenomenal team of caregivers at The Madison Home Place for the kind and compassionate service they provided during Lillian’s final years.

The family will gather for burial of Lillian’s ashes at Lakewood Memorial Park, followed by a memorial service on April 26, 2025 at 2:00pm at Fondren Presbyterian Church in Jackson. Friends will be received in the Fellowship Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Fondren Presbyterian Church.