Linda Ledbetter Stapleton

Linda Ledbetter Stapleton

MOCKSVILLE, NC / Formerly of McIntyre, GA - Mildred “Linda” Ledbetter Stapleton’s faith was turned to sight at the age of 78 years old.

Linda was born in 1946 in Washington, GA to Virginia Lois Chastain Ledbetter and Grady Watson Ledbetter, Jr. She had 3 sisters whom she loved dearly: older sister Mary Virginia, younger sister Gradee Elaine and beloved twin sister Louise. Linda graduated from Washington Wilkes High School in 1965 and then attended nursing school where she graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1966. While in school she met the love of her life, William Reece “Billy” Stapleton. Billy was a veteran of the United States Air Force and was serving in Washington as an officer in the Georgia State Highway Patrol. The two married in July 1967 and soon after their family was blessed with a daughter, Virginia Lynne Stapleton, and son, William Scott Stapleton. In the coming years, Billy flew as a private pilot for a trucking executive and then continued his career in trucking while Linda made the decision to prioritize being a mother and homemaker while the kids were young. In 1981, the family moved to McIntyre, GA and enjoyed their life in the country near Billy’s family until Billy passed away in 2009. Linda loved their home on GA Hwy 57 and remained there for 15 more years. Her favorite place to be was in her rocking chair on the screened porch, cup of coffee in hand, watching the deer quietly graze in her yard. During her 43 years in McIntyre Linda worked in the Wilkinson County Schools as a substitute and then technology assistant until she retired in 2009. She and Billy were active in the Booster Club at the high school and were so proud and excited to have the opportunity to support and watch Scott play football throughout his high school career. Linda also had a beautiful singing voice and sang in the choir at New Providence Baptist Church where she was a member. It was a family affair on Sundays with her niece Kim playing the piano, Kim’s husband Sam Wilson serving as the Music Pastor & worship leader, and Linda and Sam often singing together. Sunday lunch followed at Grandmother & Granddaddy Stapleton’s where the biscuits were freshly baked every day and your sweet tea glass was never empty.

Cherished trips back to Washington, GA to spend time with her mother, affectionately called “Big Mama”, and her sisters and their families were frequent, filled with fun and laughter and kept those family bonds precious and close. Linda and Billy’s later years were marked by the births of their grandsons, Philip Davis Kelley III and Reece Stapleton Kelley who were their hearts, their pride and their joy. Linda moved to be with her children in November of 2024. She lived with her daughter Lynne and son-in-law Phil Kelley, enjoying precious time with them, Scott and her grandsons. She loved living on the farm and in her final days she found great peace watching the sun set and the cows graze in the pasture outside her window.

Linda stepped peacefully from here into eternity on June 11, 2025. While her family grieves here - we are comforted knowing our hope and assurance lies in the grace and salvation given by the God who loved her so, created her with a perfect purpose and plan and has known the number of her days since before she was born. We can only imagine the celebration of her homecoming and rejoice in the knowledge she is with her Savior and we will see her again. John 14:1-6

Surviving Linda are her daughter Virginia Lynne Stapleton and son-in-law Philip Davis Kelley, Jr. of Mocksville, NC. Son; William Scott Stapleton of Advance, NC. Grandsons; Philip Davis Kelley III of Bozeman, MT and Reece Stapleton Kelley of Mocksville, NC. Sisters; Mary Viginia Hopkins of Atlanta, GA and Gradee Elaine Ledbetter of Washington, GA. Brother-in-law; Jerry Hardeman Walker of Washington, GA. Nieces and nephews; Kim (Dottie) Hopkins-Penny, Lisa (Ritchie) McAvoy, John Walker, Jennifer (Casey) Jackson, Kristie (Ben) Pahr, Kim (Sam) Wilson, Keith (Penny) Crook. Great nieces and nephews; Amy McAvoy, Aubrey Witcher, Braden Davis, Kavin Walker, Madeline Jackson, Ella Jackson, Max Pahr, Micah Pahr, Caleb (Meghan) Wilson, Hannah Wilson, and Zachary Crook.

Linda’s family will receive friends Saturday, June 21st from 10:00AM to 11:30AM at Reece Funeral Home in Jeffersonville, GA. Funeral service will follow at 12:00PM at New Providence Baptist Church, Jeffersonville GA. Reverend Samuel Wilson will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Trellis Supportive Care who gave Linda kindness, grace and dignity as they helped care for her in her final days. (Trellis support.org)

Visit reecefuneralhomeinc.com to express tributes.

Reece Funeral Home in Jeffersonville has charge of arrangements.