John "Jack" M. Ledbetter

John M. Ledbetter, known to one and all as “Jack”, passed away on January 17, 2021 at his residence in Columbus after a short Illness. He was 90. A graveside service was held at Shuqualak Cemetery in Shuqualak, MS on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 with Bro. Ron Delgado officiating.  Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK  73123. Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the funeral arrangements. www.cockrellfuneralhome.com

Jack was the son of John M. and Rose Anita Norwood Ledbetter and was born on February 9, 1930 in Memphis TN. He was a graduate of Shuqualak High School and attended Mississippi State University. While still a young man, Jack moved to California and joined the United States Air Force. After his term of service, he moved back to Shuqualak where he married his soulmate, Betty Campbell Davis, on April 26, 1953 and together they shared 67 years of wedded bliss. Jack owned and operated Ledbetter Furniture and Appliance in Shuqualak for over forty years. During those years he helped many young couples acquire their first furniture and appliances for their new home as well as making sure that everyone’s appliances operated as they were designed to. He was on a first-name basis with all his customers and greeted every one of them with a smile and a welcome. When Jack and Betty decided to retire, Shuqualak’s loss quickly became Columbus’ gain. There he aided his son and daughter and their families in their new business ventures and made new friends wherever he went. Jack was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he served his Lord and Savior, Jesus. He made sure that he and his family knew the Lord and that he and Betty prayed together, assuring that their lives revolved around Jesus and His will. If Jack were to have a motto, it would be “Live, Love, Laugh and he carried this zest for life with him in his all-consuming favorite past-time of traveling. He especially enjoyed traveling by RV and made friends all over the country following his passion.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Margaret Hallie Ledbetter and a sister, Margaret Ledbetter Stinson.

Jack’s survivors include his wife: Betty Davis Ledbetter; a daughter, Angela (Gerald) Vernon and a son,  John M. (Darlene) Ledbetter all of Columbus, MS; five grandchildren: Tony (Laura)Vernon, Katie (Chris) Taylor, Konrad Vernon, McGee Ledbetter (Rebekah), and Michael Ledbetter; seven great grandchildren: Jay Vernon, Jack Hudson Vernon, Isabell Vernon, Atticus Vernon, Alex Taylor, Larkin Taylor, and Lilly Taylor. Jack loved each of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren dearly and they will sorely miss him.