Betsy Lou (Ledford) Markle

Betsy Lou Ledford Markle, resident of the Somerville Community, retired nurse and wife of Gary Markle, departed this life Saturday morning, April 26, 2014 at the National HealthCare Center in Somerville where she had resided for 28 months. She was 70 years of age and died following an extended illness.

Services of Remembrance for Mrs. Markle were conducted at 2 P.M. Wednesday, April 30th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Bro. Billy Adair, pastor of the Morris Chapel Baptist Church in Somerville, officiating. Interment followed in the Hood Cemetery in the Warren Community. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center — West Chapel at Oakland.

Mrs. Markle was born December 14, 1943 in Hamilton County, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles B. “Charlie” Ledford and Bessie Pauline Moore Ledford. She received her education in the Texas Public School System and continued her education in nursing as a Licensed Practical Nurse, holding a license in both Tennessee and Texas. She was married December 20, 1967 to Gary Wayne Markle, longtime grocery merchant in Somerville and Moscow before his retirement, who survives. She had been a resident of Fayette County for over 45 years.

Mrs. Markle was of the Baptist faith and had been a dedicated Christian throughout her life. She possessed a passion for caring for others and served as a nurse and caregiver for a number of years before her retirement for health reasons. She was also a homemaker and will be remembered by many as being associated with her husband and family in the operation of Gary’s Sunflower Grocery in Moscow.

Mrs. Markle will be remembered as a family-oriented person with a deep love for her grandchildren and for others. Mrs. Markle and her family had been active supporters of the Fayette County Special Olympics program for a number of years. Her interests included a love for animals, camping, nature, flower arrangements and outdoor activities.

In addition to her husband of 46 years, Mrs. Markle is survived by two sons, Robert Dale Eary (Nancy) of Arlington, TX, Charles Payton Markle (Rhonda) of Olive Branch, MS; her sister, Sandra Kattner of Gatesville, TX; her brother, Ray Eary of Temple, TX; and three grandchildren, Robert Brandon Eary, Deidra Lynn Smith and Samantha Taylor Markle.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Johnnie Pattat, James “Jimbo” Kelley, Bobby Ferge, Brandon Eary, Steve Crafton, Tony Kirk, Chance Eary and Darell Kelley.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Fayette County Chapter of the Special Olympics, c/o Lisa Taylor, 1355 Lynnfield Road, Suite 273, Memphis, TN 38119.