Eunice Aileen Ledford, 85, of Murphy, passed away Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, in a Murphy hospital.
She was a native and lifetime resident of Murphy.
Eunice was well known for her employment at the local Levi Strauss and Co., where she had retired as an assistant plant manager after 34 years.
In her youth, Eunice was an avid lake enthusiast, particularly for skiing and camping. Eunice loved cooking, gardening and working in her flowers around her home.
She was a member of Murphy First Baptist Church.
She was the daughter of the late Robert and Belle Carringer Henry. She was also preceded in death by five brothers, Herbert, Pless and John Henry, and Harold and Woodford “Jr.” Johnson.
Surviving are a daughter, Sandy Forrister and husband Steve of Murphy; a son, Paul “P.A.” Ledford of Murphy; a stepdaughter, Debbie Jones of Annapolis, Md.; two stepsons, Kyle Ingram of Navarre Beach, Fla., and Tot Ingram of Gainesville, Ga.; a brother, Jack Henry of Hamtranck, Mich.; a special sister, Billie Simonds, formerly of Copperhill, Tenn., now of Yorktown, Va.; five grandchildren, Chris Ledford of Murphy, Brittney Forrister of Nashville, Tenn., Jordan Winston and husband Dave of Tampa, Fla., Abigail Williams and husband Adam of Charlotte, and Hudson Forrister and fiancee Jillian Moorhouse of Maryville, Tenn.; two great-grandchildren, Sadie Winston and Clare Williams; special friend and caregiver, Barbara Rhodes; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, with the Revs. Aud Brown, and Jimmy Tanner officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Bill Carringer, Max O’Dell, Larry Henry, Harold Wilson, Donnie Wayman, Junior Graves, Jerry Johnson, Franklin Barnett and Ronnie Clayton.
The family received friends from 1-2:45 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Food Bank at Murphy First Baptist Church, 517 Hiwassee St., Murphy, NC 28906.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, was in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.