Hester Ledbetter

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Hester Mae Ledbetter, 90, formerly of Sikeston, died at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 26, 2004, at the Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

Born Sept. 17, 1914, in Oran, daughter of the late Harvey G. and Hattie Robinson Crader, she had been a factory worker at the Sikeston Ceramics Manufacturing Company and a cook for the Rustic Rock, the War Drum and the Gaslight Square restaurants in Sikeston. She was affiliated with the Baptist church.

She was first married to J.F. Duncan who preceded her in death. She later married Jesse Paul "Tommy" Ledbetter who also preceded her in death.

Preceding her in death in addition to her parents and husbands were five sisters, three half brothers and three half sisters.

Survivors include: one son, Richard "Buddy" Duncan of Jackson; one daughter, Ruth Mercer of Nashville, Ill.; two brothers, Sammy Crader of the state of Illinois and James Crader of Marble Hill; four sisters, Marie Talley, Dorothy Lemons and Lorene Weathers of St. Louis and Wanda Hall of Marble Hill; and three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. Monday until time for services at 11 a.m. at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston. The Rev. Marlin Schott of Cape Girardeau will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.