Samuel Larry Ledbetter
Samuel Larry Ledbetter, of Jonesboro, LA, passed away on March 22, 2020 at the age of 89 years old due to complications from a lengthy illness of dementia and Alzheimers.
“Coach,” as he is fondly remembered by his players from his time as head basketball coach at Jonesboro-Hodge High School, was employed by the Jackson Parish School System for 26 years and then after retirement served as 911 Director for Jackson Parish for an additional 19 years. He was a faithful member of the Jonesboro-Hodge United Methodist Church for 54 years.
Mr. Ledbetter was a graduate of Simsboro High School where he excelled in academics and athletics. After graduation he attended Louisiana Tech where he was a four-year letterman on the men’s basketball team. He drew honors by being selected twice as an All-Conference player and the 1951 Most Valuable Player on the Tech squad. He received his degree from Tech and then completed his Masters Degree at Northwestern State.
Sam Ledbetter began his career with the Jackson Parish School System in 1954 assuming duties as the head boys basketball coach, where he compiled a career record of 178- 104 which at the time was the most victories compiled in school history. Competing in the largest classification of the LHSAA he led his teams to two district championships (1956- 57, 1957-58) and a Class AA state runner-up finish in 1956-57. The 30-4 record achieved in1956-57 still stands as the second best record in school history.
In 1964 he became principal at Chatham High School a position he held until 1969 when he was selected to be the Superintendent of the Jackson Parish School System where he served until 1980.
After retirement he became a store manager with Wal-Mart Inc. for seven years and in 1989 was selected to help implement and direct the 911 Emergency Response System in Jackson Parish remaining in that capacity until 2017.
Ledbetter is survived by his wife, Jane (Hills) Ledbetter; son Ben Ledbetter; daughter Anne Ledbetter Mollere along with three grandchildren, Whitney Ledbetter Robinson, Lauren Ledbetter and Roland Mollere. Also included is son-in-law Colvin Robinson and three great grandchildren, Trent Ledbetter, Ella Robinson and Jack Robinson as well family members of the Gullat, Taylor and Hills families.
He is preceded in death by his parents Buck and Millege (Mimi) Gullat Ledbetter.
A walk-through viewing will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2020, at the Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home in Jonesboro, LA. A graveside service will be held at the Gullat Family Cemetery in Simsboro, LA, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 28 with Jonesboro-Hodge United Methodist Pastor Paul Sterns presiding.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Memorial Fund of the Jonesboro-Hodge United Methodist Church.
