Van Cole Ledbetter, age 81, a resident of De Queen, died Wednesday, February 24, 2016, in the Christus St. Michael Health System, Texarkana, Texas. He was born to Marvin “Turk” and Alma Ada Counts Ledbetter, in Madison County, Arkansas on April 4, 1934. Van was a member of the Church of Christ and surrendered to preach in 1955. He ministered in Oelwein, Iowa, Alma, Arkansas, Russellville, Rosebud, Texas, Mena, Arkansas, Durant, Oklahoma, De Queen, Horatio and Hatfield Church of Christ Churches. Van was a gifted painter, and was a member of the Cossatot Arts and Crafts. He was an avid fan of the De Queen Leopards, and the Arkansas Razorbacks. He painted the Leopard mascot for the Leopard Stadium. He loved his community, and served on the Parks and Recreation Board. As a young man, Van excelled in baseball, and softball, and he enjoyed playing golf, and bowling. Van was a devoted husband, father, and absolutely adored his grandchildren, and was there to watch anything his grandchildren were involved in. Van was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Colene Ledbetter, and two brothers, Gerald Ledbetter, and Larry Ledbetter. He is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Wanda Terry Ledbetter; son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Melesha Ledbetter of De Queen; daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Keith Richardson of Durant, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Matthew Ledbetter of De Queen, Ryan Harrelson and Rhett Richardson both of Durant, Oklahoma, and Whitney and her husband, Cane Shoemaker of Keller, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Kara Richardson of Durant, Oklahoma, and Beckham Shoemaker of Keller, Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Hoy and Jary Ledbetter of Huntsville, Alabama; by his wife’s family, his mother-in-law, Ethel Terry of Fayetteville; brother-in-law, Randall and his wife, Gina Terry of Fayetteville; three sisters-in-law and their spouses, Joan and Jerry Oates of Benton, Darlene and Westzel Terry of Fayetteville, and Barbara and Jerry Johnson also of Fayetteville; nieces, nephews; his brothers and sisters in Christ; and a host of friends. Funeral Services for Van Ledbetter will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, February 27, 2016 in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Toney Stowers and Bobby Tatum, Ministers officiating. Burial will follow in Redmen Cemetery, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
Visitation will be Friday, February 26, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. You may send an online sympathy message at www.chandlerfuneral.com.
