Mr. James Walker Ledbetter, Jr. (80), of Wilson, NC, formerly of Winston-Salem, NC passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Wilson. Funeral services will take place on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 12 noon at First Baptist Church, 700 Highland Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Family visitation will take place from 11:00 am to 12 noon prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens.

A Memorial service will take place on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 12 noon at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, 805 Nash St. SE, Wilson, NC 27893.

This is not an obituary! Oh No! This is a tribute to a life well lived. On June 21, 1945, James Walker Ledbetter Sr. and Mary Alice Ledbetter gave birth to their eldest son, James Walker Ledbetter Jr., which was his government name in Winston-Salem, NC. We've known him all our lives, and we prefer "Skeeter".

Skeeter was OUR big brother. He bought us bologna, cheese doodles, and Hawaiian Punch from Food Lion. He painted our faces with Griffin black shoe polish while we were asleep and loved us something fierce. Skeeter was given the name, "Buster, Jr." by his grandparents, Robert and Ozella Amason.

A beloved father, grandfather, companion, and friend to many. Skeeter graduated from Skyland Elementary School (W-S, NC). Furthered his high school education at Paisley High School, formerly Forsyth Technical Institute (W-S, NC), class of 1963. At Paisley, he was a member of the basketball team. After graduating from high school, he attended WSSU class of 1967. He joined the Beta Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. where he served faithfully as Dean of Pledges. As Dean of Pledges, he introduced young men to the world of brotherhood. He later attended North Carolina Central University on the graduate level to further his education.

Skeeter taught math in the Wilson County Schools, Springfield Middle School in Lucama, NC, for more than twenty years. Illness forced him to retire early, but he tutored math still. Skeeter lived and loved with great compassion and advocated family love and unity. He taught us the value of a great education and to take care of whatever you own. He guided his brother and sisters from childhood and even as adults. During his illness, when we were to console him, he often consoled us with his strength. Skeeter visited a different church every Sunday and possessed an unwavering faith in the Lord.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter, Lynette Kirby formerly of Wilson, NC; and his sister, Sharon Ledbetter.

Skeeter is survived by a son, Jeffrey Harris (Anjanee) of Zebulon, NC; a daughter, Memory Jones of Raleigh, NC; three granddaughters, Milaniyah Lanier, Isabella Jones, and Stormie Kirby; one grandson, Christopher Williams; a brother, George R. Ledbetter (Mary); five sisters, Jocelyn Ledbetter, Beverly Ledbetter-Caesar, Shelma Ledbetter Scales (William), Linda Ledbetter-Glenn, and Candice Ledbetter-Worthy; two aunts,  Mrs. Annie Pearl Wilson and Mrs. Delores Amason; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends. We would be remiss if we didn't mention his loving companion, Jeanine Swinson - for loving and taking such remarkable care of our brother. Thank you, and we will always love you.

So long, our dear Skeeter, Mom and Daddy are waiting on you!

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Russell Funeral Home, Inc., 822 Carol Russell Ave., Winston-Salem, NC  27101, (336) 722-3459. Please direct condolences to Russell Funeral Home or https://www.russellfuneralservice.com/obituaries/james-ledbetter-jr .

Local funeral arrangements are entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home, 805 Nash St. SE, Wilson, NC 27893. You may also direct condolences to edwardscares.com or fax 252-206-1262.