Ruth Lee Ballentine Ledbetter was born in Alamance County on March 26, 1927 to the late James Howard Ballentine, Sr. and Alma Jones Ballentine. She departed this life on Wednesday, February 1, 2017.

She grew up in Winston-Salem, NC and was educated in the Winston-Salem public school system graduating from Atkins High School. She earned a Bachelor's Degree from Winston-Salem Teacher's College and received her Masters of Education Degree from North Carolina A & T State University.

Ruth was a devoted educator who taught many years in High Point, North Carolina.

She was a charter member of United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church where she was active in several ministries. She was also very active in the Winston-Salem State University Kimberly Park Alumni Chapter.

Ruth was married to the late James Ledbetter. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by daughters, Jo Yvette L. Hatcher and Sandra P. Ledbetter; sisters, Lillie B. Williams and Yvonne B. Fluker, and brother, James H Ballentine, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory a son, A. Wayne (Melissa) Ledbetter; granddaughter Jaime E. Ledbetter; great-grandson, James Anthony Belton; brothers, Brian (Phyllis) Ballentine and Bruce (Sandra) Ballentine; extended sibling, Alma R. Lewis of Phoenix, AZ; sister-in-law, Bernice Ledwell of Greensboro, NC; son-in-law, Fredrick M. Hatcher; a special niece, Yvonne Herndon; devoted friends, Katherine Chavis, Annie McMorris, Barbara Manning, and Martha Brimage; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Prince Raney Rivers officiating. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 11am until 12noon on Wednesday at the Church.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church Endowment Fund or the Winston-Salem State University Foundation, Inc., The family gives special thanks to the Salem Kidney Center; Dr. David Shelburne; and home care givers, Beverly Melton, Trevis Melton, Patricia Palmer, Janie Hairston, and Carolina Ingram.