Obit

ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES.com:
ObituariesDr. Bruce R. LedfordBakersville -

Dr. Bruce R. Ledford, 65, died Tuesday, July 3, 2007, in a Spruce Pine Hospital. He was born Sept. 13, 1941, in Bakersville, the son of the late Jess and Dona Doanie Mama Buchanan Ledford.

He is survived by his wife, Amelia Webb Ledford; son, Joseph Joe, and wife, Angela, of Auburn, Ala.; daughter, Jennifer Ritta Jenny and husband, Glen, of Auburn; and grandson, Todd Vance, also of Auburn.

Other survivors include three brothers, Dr. Ted R. Ledford and his wife, Eleanor, of Little Switzerland, Darrel R. Ledford and his wife, Elwanda, of Bakersville, and Lee Roy Ledford and his wife, Sue, of Bakersville; stepson, Scott Fortner, and step-granddaughter, Samantha, of Bakersville; stepdaughter, Stephanie Medford, and husband, Charlie; step-granddaughter, Katie Medford, of Bakersville, and step-granddaughter, Shaylee Jones, of Auburn; nieces and nephews, Tracy and Sam Deyton, Tom and Dana Ledford, Scooter Ledford, Dr. Katherine Ledford and husband, Brian McKinney, and Victoria and Corey O'Connor.

Upon completion of his doctorate at East Tennessee State University and service in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 67, he enjoyed a long and successful teaching career at East Texas State University, the University of Arizona, and Auburn University. He was also the author of two college textbooks on education theory and practice, as well as a number of articles in various professional journals. He was also honored as a distinguished alumnus by East Tennessee State University at a university convocation in 1989.

In addition to his professional activities in the areas of classroom teaching and research, he was an educational media consultant for the University of Alabama, making numerous trips to Peru, Columbia and Mexico for the university. He was also active in a number of other areas related to educational media. One of the films he produced was named a top-ten educational film in 1977, and one of his film students was nominated for an Oscar by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

He was also an accomplished still and video photographer, editor, painter and sculptor. He was an avid baseball fan. His knowledge of the game and players in the 1950s and 1960s was phenomenal. He had also traveled extensively in the United States and Europe.

After his retirement from university teaching, he became active in various projects back home in Mitchell County. He produced a number of web sites for local businesses, artists and civic organizations. He was also an active member of the Mitchell County Courthouse Restoration Committee and Lily Branch Baptist Church, where he taught a Sunday school class, produced the church bulletin and newsletter, and served as church historian.

Memorials may be made to the Courthouse Restoration Committee, c/o Daniel Barron, Bakersville, NC 28705; or Lily Branch Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Jackie Thomas, 3416 Snow Creek Road, Bakersville, NC 28705.

The funeral will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Lily Branch Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until the service hour.
The Rev. Vern Grindstaff will officiate.
Interment will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the church cemetery.