Helen Land Ledbetter, 92, of Monroe, Louisiana, died Wednesday, August 2, following a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen Katherine Street and John Samuel Land, and her husband, Roy Harrison Ledbetter. Helen is survived by her four children: John (Dee) Ledbetter of Monroe, Anne Ledbetter of Middletown, Delaware, Lee Ledbetter (Douglas Meffert) of New Orleans, and Woody (Karen) Ledbetter of Sterlington, ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, sister Mary Land, sister-in-law Diane Ledbetter, and a number of nieces and nephews. Helen grew up in New Orleans where her father pastored St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church. She graduated from Newman High School and earned her BA from Agnes Scott College where she majored in English. Following college she moved back to New Orleans and worked at Tulane. She met her husband Roy when they caught one another’s gaze during a church service and exchanged flirtatious looks, only to discover following the service that a cousin had planned to introduce them. Helen would later tell her children, “We met in October, became engaged over Christmas, were married in June and spent the rest of our marriage getting to know one another!” They shared fifty-three years as devoted partners and found the greatest joy and fulfillment in raising their four children.

Over the years Helen was active in numerous social and service organizations but dedicated the lion’s share of her time, talent and treasure to her church – First Presbyterian of Monroe where she taught Sunday School, served as an elder and deacon, and sang alto in the choir for over sixty years. When First Presbyterian closed its doors she found a new church home at New Iona Presbyterian Church in West Monroe and was drafted again into the choir.

Helen loved her family, cherished her friends, and delighted in her home and garden. Over the years she dabbled in gardening, tennis, hunting, golf, needlepoint, and snow-skiing, but bird-watching and bridge were her long-standing hobbies in addition to reading and watching PBS. She took good care of herself through diet and exercise, her daily make-up regimen and her inviolable afternoon nap. She will be remembered as a devoted mother, a generous grandmother, a faithful friend, an ardent Democrat, a pillar of the church, a lover of life.

The family is deeply grateful for the love and care for Helen from Leon Head, Theresa Caissie, Mildred Lewis, Rosalind Carr, Brenda Woods, and Lilly Gee.

A memorial service will be held at New Iona Presbyterian Church on August 31, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers the family suggests sending memorial gifts to New Iona Presbyterian Church (1403 Wellerman Road, West Monroe, LA 71291), or KEDM Public Radio.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home, Monroe.

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