ohnnie Dale Ledford, 56, lost his two-year struggle with cancer on Dec. 22, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was surrounded by his immediate family: his loving Mother, Norma H. Ledford of Clayton; his beloved three sisters: Linda Brown of Poteau, Oklahoma, Mary Lou Faulkenberry of Mountain City, and Lucia Dee Harris of Wister, Oklahoma; his beloved brother, Martin Ledford of Los Angeles, California and his special niece, Danielle Faulkenberry Plott of Chatsworth. He is also survived by many additional nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews. Dale was the son of the late L.D. Ledford of Clayton, and grandson of the late J.G. and Kay Ledford of Rabun Gap, and the late Charlie Hopkins and Lucy York Hooper of Clayton.
After graduating from Rabun County High School in 1978, Dale worked at Sky Valley Ski Resort. Eventually, Dale moved to Athens, Georgia where he spent many years employed by the University of Georgia. In Athens, Dale was also a community organizer who helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for AIDS organizations in Northeast Georgia. Later, he moved to Atlanta where Dale was part of the Publix management team. Most recently, Dale relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to start his own business (Smoothie King) with his partner Harold Suttles.
A public memorial service is planned in 2018 to take place in Athens, Georgia for his friends and family. A private memorial service will be held later in 2018 for the family. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal rescue shelter or adopt a pet in Dale’s memory.