Marie Ensley Ledbetter

Marie Ensley Ledbetter, 93, of Asheville, passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2017. Marie, daughter of the late Walter and Sallie Kate Tweed Ensley, was born in Weaverville and grew up in rural Buncombe County. She often told stories about growing up during the Depression and life in her beloved NC mountains. Marie graduated from Woodfin High School and completed three years at the Asheville Normal School. She met her future husband, Jesse, on a blind date on Valentine's Day in 1941. They were married during WWII and shared a beautiful marriage of 72 years. Throughout the early years of their marriage they traveled extensively, returned to Western NC for 4 years where they owned and operated a dairy farm, were dedicated members of a square dance team and active members of The Grange. Marie was a frequent supporter of the Home Demonstration Club, and Avery's Creek Methodist Church. Through the years, she was a member of Central United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, the Asheville Garden Club, The Botanical Gardens of Asheville, the National Federation of Republican Women, the NC Federation of Republican Women, the Buncombe County GOP, the Girls Scouts of America and the Officers Wives Association. She was also a founding member and active supporter of the Care Foundation of WNC (formerly known as the Broughton Foundation). Marie was a full-time wife and mother, worked as a decoder during WWII in Washington, DC, was employed by the US Postal Service, and was the office manager for Ledbetter Realty. She was a dedicated, kind, creative and loving woman who always cared for others and brought joy and organization to her friends and family members. She was a strong Christian and lived a life with North Carolina values. Her family and friends celebrate having been part of her life. In addition to her parents, Marie was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jesse I. Ledbetter; one sister, Frances Scott Ensley and two brothers, George Samuel Ensley and Thomas “Tom” Tweed Ensley. She is survived by her loving family of two daughters, Patricia Ledbetter Haley and her husband, Thomas, of Denver, NC and Catherine Ledbetter Padgett and her husband, Marcus, of Vancouver, WA; four grandchildren, Thomas David Haley, Jr. and his wife, Jill, of Denver, NC, Jesse Ingram Haley and his wife Leanne Murphy of Richmond, VA, Katie Padgett Walsh and her husband, Cullen Padgett Walsh of Ames, IA and Meredith Dodson of Honolulu, HI, as well as five great-grandchildren, Thornhill Haley, Cash Haley, Eleanor Padgett Walsh, Jennings Haley and Edwin Padgett Walsh and one sister-in-law, Joan Powell Ensley. The family will receive friends from 1:00-3:00 PM on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. A private interment will be held at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Care Foundation of WNC Inc., 121 Laurel Hills Drive, Morganton NC 28655.