Hester Ledbetter

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Hester Mae Ledbetter, 90, formerly of Sikeston, died Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, at the Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Sept. 17, 1914, in Oran, Mo., daughter of Harvey G. and Hattie Robinson Crader. She had worked at Sikeston Ceramics Manufacturing Co. and had also been a cook for the Rustic Rock, the War Drum and the Gaslight Square restaurants in Sikeston.

She was first married to J.F. Duncan, then to Jessie Paul "Tommy" Ledbetter. Both preceded her in death.

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

She was preceded in death by her parents, five sisters, three half brothers and three half sisters.

Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Marlin "Bud" Schott officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.