Marlene S. Ledford

In Loving Memory of our Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt who went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026 at home with her family.

Marlene Sue Misner Helton Ledford was born July 8, 1935, in Grand Rapids, MI, to Murville “Charlie” and Shirley (Empie) Misner of Sand Lake, MI. The Misner’s were a prominent large family in Sand Lake with 2 sons and 7 daughters. The Misner family was noted for their love of music, good cooking, gardening, and creativity in many areas! Marlene graduated from Sand Lake High School in 1953. She married Starlin Helton in 1953 and had 3 children. Marlene enjoyed a long career in insurance and medical administration. Playing piano and singing with her sisters and family also brought her great joy. She was a faithful member of several churches over the years. As a single woman she relocated to Carrollton, Georgia in 1986 with her daughters and later married Alvin Eugene (Gene) Ledford in 1991. They resided in Whitesburg, Georgia and were married 21 years. Marlene spent her final years in Michigan with her son Marty and his wife Marcia.

Marlene is survived by her children, Debra Jack Pacheco (Husband, Luis) of Leicester, NC, Marty Helton (Wife, Marcia) of Sand Lake, MI, Jacquelyn LaFollette (Husband, Daniel) of Bremen, GA; 10 grandchildren and several great grandchildren; sisters, Verdena VanAntwerp Martin, Lou Ellen Fisk (Husband, Gene) of Sand Lake, MI; several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

She is preceded in death by the love of her life, Gene Ledford, her parents, brothers, Murville Jr. (Mick), Arloe Misner, sisters, Shirley Ann Merlington, Nancy Westervelt, Janet Wainright Hunt, Joyce Bell Johnson, son-in-law, Rick Allen Jack, grandson Tyler James Helton.

Memorial Services to be planned in Michigan and in Georgia. She will be laid to rest at Carroll Memory Gardens, Carrollton, Georgia. Arrangements by K.E. Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, MI.