Rose Elizabeth Shewbart Ledbetter

Rose Elizabeth Shewbart Ledbetter was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, the eldest child of Madelynn “Lynn” Yarmey Shewbart of Rahway, New Jersey and Oscar Marcelle Shewbart of Vina, Alabama. She was raised in various towns Alabama, as her father’s job transferred him around the state. Rose graduated from St. Clair County High School in 1987, and then enrolled at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, majoring in English and spinning rifles, sabers, and flags in The Marching Southerners. While in Jacksonville, she met Jim Ledbetter, and they married on November 25, 1994. The ceremony was on Thanksgiving Day, held on her Aunt Freda’s front porch, presided over by her preacher Uncle Keith, and in front of 27 family members for her and 3 family members for him, who were 3 hours late. Rose and Jim moved to Auburn, Alabama and then to Tallahassee, Florida for Jim to attend graduate school at Auburn University and Florida State University, respectively. Rose worked in restaurants for over 20 years, managing both family-run and corporate restaurants. She then transitioned into the non-profit world, working at the Brain Injury Association of Florida for 13 years and then 2-1-1 of the Big Bend for the last 4 years. Her proudest accomplishment was designing a Mental Health Directory Search website (https://211bigbend.org/mental-health-directory-search) that helps people find a mental health provider that meets their needs in the 8-county Big Bend and 18-county Florida Panhandle area. While her outside was salty, Rose was a puddle of butter on the inside, with a big and fiercely loyal heart; she found a home for that heart in Kiwanis. She said her goal was to be the adult she needed as a child, and Kiwanis gave her the tools and opportunities to accomplish that goal. Rose was a charter member of the Virtual Kiwanis Club of the Big Bend, serving as Secretary, Treasurer, and President of the club before being elected as the 2023-2024 Lt. Governor of the 12 clubs of the Big Bend area. She was also a member of the Capital City Kiwanis Club, serving as Secretary and President-Elect. Her passion and leadership are already missed, but her legacy of service will live on. Rose is survived by her husband Jim Ledbetter of Tallahassee, FL, sister Rie Merritt (Kris and their children Eve and Noah) of Cumming, GA, sister Trish Shewbart (Shannon) of Russellville, Alabama, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins in Alabama, Arkansas, and Pennsylvania, who all managed to survive full-contact versions of Easter egg hunts and a card game called “Spoons” at very, very loud and boisterous family reunions. After the holidays, there will be an opportunity for a party/remembrance/cathartic episode for Rose, with Captain Morgan & Diet Coke drinks and Jägermeister shots all around. For whatever reason, that was her shot of choice, and if you were not careful around her, it was your shot of choice too. Cremation services will be provided by Young-Fulford Funeral Home, and her ashes will be scattered at Jacksonville State University, Bubble Gum Hill near Vina, at other points along her life’s journey, and Jim plans to go to Alaska to spread her ashes at locations she could only dream of seeing. A celebration of life/remembrance/cathartic event for Rosie will be held on January 20, 2024 at 3:00 at 4th Quarter Bar & Grille, located at 2033 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303. NOTE: There is a Zoom option: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9469818568 The family is being assisted by Jackie Fulford and James Sircy of Young Fulford Funeral Home and Crematory, Tallahassee, Florida. 850.610.4444

Rose Elizabeth Shewbart Ledbetter

October 23, 1969 - December 9, 2023