Janice Brown Ledford, 70, of Ashland, died Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, in Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland.
She was born Sept. 18, 1945, in Cynthiana, to the late B.B. and Albert Harris Brown.
She was also preceded in death by her beloved son, Dr. Loren James Ledford; and a nephew, Jeffrey Thomas.
She graduated with distinction from the University of Kentucky and received her higher education degrees from Morehead State University.
Janice began her dedicated career with Ashland Independent Schools in 1970. She served as a teacher at Coles Junior High School and Verity Middle School. She was an assistant principal at Paul G. Blazer High School in 1988 and became principal in 1989.
She was an avid Ashland Tomcat supporter, both in athletics and academics. She was a score keeper for Tomcat basketball and was active with Ashland’s academic teams as coach, moderator and scorer. She worked untiringly for the Ashland School System and the community, touching many lives along the way.
She was a member of the Ashland Education Association, Kentucky Education Association and served as an officer in both associations. She was a past member and president of Delta Kappa Gamma.
She loved playing canasta and belonged to a monthly card club for 45 years.
Her survivors include two sisters, Barbara Brown (Paul) Thomas and Wilma Brown; a daughter-in-law, Amy Jones Ledford ; precious and dear grandchildren, Preston Allen Ledford and Bethany Nicole Ledford; a niece, Julie Thomas Payne; aunt Frances Cox; a host of extended family and friends; and an important family member was her pet, Betsy.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, at First United Methodist Church in Ashland with words of comfort by David Greene and the Rev. John Street. Entombment will be in Rose Hill Burial Park Mausoleum in Ashland.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, at the church.
Pallbearers will be Paul Thomas, Andrew Green, John Vincent, Cleve McHenry, Frank Slone, Jerry Umberger, Mike Payne and Bruce Morrison.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Janice’s memory may be sent to Janice Brown Ledford’s scholarship fund c/o Town Square Bank, 1530 Carter Ave., Ashland, KY, 41101; First United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 1811 Carter Ave., Ashland, KY 41101; or to Community Hospice 1480 Carter Ave., Ashland, KY 41101.
Condolences may be sent to steenfuneralhome.com.
