Mary Ledbetter

Mom. Wife. Grandmother. Sister. Friend. Mary Alice Ledbetter wore many hats in her 67 years, including courageous cancer survivor. Her stand-off with stage four breast cancer ended valiantly on May 5, 2018 after 24 years. Her pain has vanished, but her love remains forever.Mary's journey began in Terre Haute, Indiana on April 4, 1951. She lived her first two years in Jasper Indiana and spent the rest of her childhood in Vincennes, Indiana, living right next door to Charlie's Candies, where she fondly took her two girls over the years. Along with grabbing some chocolate and caramel corn treats, Mary also left a "time capsule" with a message in the 14th brick of the lamp post by the shop's old entrance.Mary's journey continued to Lafayette, Indiana and then Indianapolis, Indiana, where she was a majorette and played first chair flute in the Ben Davis High School band. Her musical talents allowed her to travel all over Europe until she graduated in 1969.Then it was on to Indiana State University, where Mary met her husband and best friend of 44 years, Scott Ledbetter. After Mary graduated ISU with a B.A. and M.S. in Elementary Education/Early Childhood Development, she spent her first year as a teacher in Attica, Indiana. One year later, Scott and Mary married on July 13, 1974.Scott and Mary soon moved to Vincennes, Indiana where they built a family, a home, and an extended family of many friends, all of which Mary cherished. Mary spent 29 years teaching in the Vincennes Community School System where she spent the majority of her tenure teaching first grade at Vigo Elementary school where she touched many lives and made many friends, all during her first breast cancer diagnosis toward the end of her career. She was a "Bulldog" in more than one sense, also being featured in the Vincennes Sun Commercial for her cancer fight.Outside of the classroom, Mary's love was her church family and Bible study group. First Baptist Church was Mary's place of worship for 43 years. During that time, Mary directed and assisted with Vacation Bible School, sung in the church choir, and attended church Bible study. Perhaps Mary's most treasured time of worship was in her independent Bible study group, with her devoted friends and ‘sisters', Janet, Linda, Carolynn, Debbie, and Ann.Mary's Bible study group may have helped enforce her strong belief in eating dessert FIRST, accompanied by a strong cup of coffee. Mary also believed in her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the abilities of her children, and the daily need to smile, laugh, share, and lead by example as a positive influence and role model. Mary gets an "A" for this from her daughters and her students who have approached her long after graduation to thank her for touching their lives. This warmed her heart more than they will ever know.Mary will always be a role model for her daughters, Julia and Lisa, who believe Mary's spirit will shine through them and through others for years to come. Mary is the family's rock in a quiet, steadfast, and loving way. Her mere presence is more than enough to brighten anyone's day. If your day is bad, Mary makes it good. If your day is good, Mary makes it better. Mary is a graceful warrior who will be missed so very, very much.Mary's parents, Gwen and Hal Meurer preceded her in death. Mary's legacy will live on through her family which includes her husband, Scott, her two daughters, Julia Dodson and Lisa Loeb, her sister, Susan Jaggers, her grandson, Owen Loeb, her son-in-law, Bobby Loeb, her aunt, Janett Boling, and her nephew, Andrew Hartsock.Visitation for Mary will be from 11:00 am until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at First Baptist Church, 2625 Wabash Avenue, Vincennes, Indiana. The funeral service will begin at 3:00 p.m. following the visitation at the church. Mary's body will be cremated and interred in a private ceremony at a later date in Memorial Park Cemetery in Vincennes.Memorial contributions in Mary's name may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. Contributors should include the memorial ID number: 11291892, or contributions can be made on the website, www.stjude.org. Contributions can also be made to First Baptist Church at 2625 Wabash Avenue, Vincennes, Indiana 47591. Goodwin Funeral Home is honored to assist the Ledbetter family with arrangements.