Ledford, Jewell Emory (Cleveland)

  • Saturday, September 24, 2022
Jewell Emory Ledford
Jewell Emory Ledford

Jewell Emory Ledford, 86, a resident of Cleveland, Tennessee, passed away Thursday, September 22, 2022 at the family residence.

Mr. Ledford was born in Polk County, Tn. and was the son of the late Thelma Fletcher Ledford and Robert "Rob" Ledford.

His sister, Betty Wilson; his brothers, Verlin, Roy Newell and Kenneth Ledford; his step-daughter, Sharon Johnson; and his best friend, Willard Calfee also preceded him in death.

Mr. Ledford was a shaving hauler for chicken houses and dairies for 30 years. He quit school at the age of 14 to take care of his family. He first worked at a lumber yard in Conasauga before he took a small truck and delivered small shavings to chicken houses and dairies. He noticed that the farmers had to manually spread the shavings after he delivered them, so he invented a mechanism that spread the shavings in the chicken houses and attached it to his truck. This eliminated the need for the farmers to spread the shavings themselves. To keep up the demand, he grew his business to running three trucks a day.

Jewell loved to hunt and with his wife Bonnie, they enjoyed hiking in the mountains and dancing together. She was the love of his life! He was diagnosed with dementia five years ago and it has been a long journey. Bonnie was his caregiver for years until he became bedridden. At which point, his son Scott Ledford, his grandson Jacob Ledford and Julie Calderone stepped in and helped care for him. Thanks be to the Lord his family was able to take care of him! Jewell was a very hard worker, a very giving person and he was loved by all! Mr. Ledford was Baptist.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Bonnie Ledford of Cleveland; his five children, Scott (Julie) Ledford, Kim (Cathy) Ledford, Janet (Len) Bell, Candy Hatcher, and Kathy (David) Adams;  grandchildren, Ashlyn Ledford, Jacob Ledford, Jacob Ledford, Kyler Moore, DJ (Michelle) Johnson, Krystal Johnson, Willie (Allison) Ledford, Thomas (Lindsey) Bell, Jason Rapier, Keri Adams, and Chloe (Jeff) Hanson; great-grandchildren, Aiden and Alexia Smith, Joy, Asher, Ruthie and Clement Hanson, Jacob Bell, and Ella Abdelkader; step-son, Rodney Johnson; sister, Joann; brothers, Sonny and Leonard; close friends, Randy Silvers, Jerry Byous, Gene Waldrop, AC Whaley; and several nieces and nephews.

Per Mr. Ledford's request, he will be cremated with no service and his ashes will be kept and buried with his wife Bonnie Ledford.

The family would like to thank Dr. Alan Chastain for taking care of Jewell most of his life and Hospice of Chattanooga.

The Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Chapel has charge of the arrangements.

You may share your condolences and your memories with the Ledford family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.

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