In May of 1970 the last graduating class of Jackson High earned their diplomas. Running through May 22-24 these prestigious graduates will celebrate their 50th anniversary reunion with a meet and greet scheduled for that Friday and a picnic and banquet slated for the next day. The school was closed in 1971 when through a mandated federal order all students were sent to Jonesboro-Hodge High School.

Registration materials have already been mailed out to classmates for whom contact information was available. If you were a member of the 1970 graduating class or know of a member who has not yet received their information you are asked to contact reunion organizer Linda Lee at (313) 836-1913 or through email at brcljc@aol.com.

Tri-District 1B champion Saline placed two the first team All-District team while Saline and Dodson had one each named to the first team in boys basketball. Senior Maria Barnett and Sophomore Georgia Robinson along with Sophomore Ethan Roberts of Saline were named as well as Dodson junior Xaiden Hall.

Additional first team award winners on the boys side were Jamaria Clark and Decari Markray (MVP) of Class B state and district 1B champion Doyline along with Jeffry Wallace of Castor. Macey Moss (MVP) and Kemi Bumgardner of Castor and Unnika Miller of Doyline was named first team for the girls.

Alana Gray of Saline and JaNiah Weary were named to the second team along with Tanner and Caleb Barton of Dodson. Eighth grader Xzander Washington of Saline and Sadie Beaubouef of Dodson earned Honorable Mention designation.

Samuel Larry Ledbetter
Born 1930- Died 2020
Age: 89 years old

Samuel Larry Ledbetter of Jonesboro, LA passed away on March 22, 2020 at the age of 89 years old due to complications from a lengthy illness of Dementia and Alzheimers. “Coach” as he is fondly remembered by his players from his time as head basketball coach at Jonesboro-Hodge High School was employed by the Jackson Parish School System for 26 years and then after retirement served as 911 Director for Jackson Parish for an additional 19 years.

After graduating from Simsboro High School in 1947 and Louisiana Tech in 1952 where he was named MVP of the mens basketball team and All-Conference during his senior year Ledbetter began his career with the Jackson Parish School System in 1954 assuming duties as the head boys basketball coach.

During his coaching career he compiled a career record of 178-104 which at the time was the most victories compiled in school history. Lebetter led his teams to two district championships (1956-57, 1957-58) and a Class AA state runner-up finish in 1956-57. The 30-4 record achieved in 1956-57 still stands as the second best record in school history.

In 1964 he became principal at Chatham High School a position he held until 1969 when he was selected to be the Superintendent of the Jackson Parish School System where he served until 1980. After retirement he became a store manager with Wal-Mart Inc. for seven years and in 1989 was selected to help implement and direct the 911 Emergency Response System in Jackson Parish remaining in that capacity until 2017.

Ledbetter is survived by his wife, Jane (Hills) Ledbetter; son Ben Ledbetter; daughter Anne Ledbetter Mollere along with three grandchildren, Whitney Ledbetter Robinson, Lauren Ledbetter and Roland Mollere. Also included is son-in-law Colvin Robinson and three great grandchildren, Trent Ledbetter, Ella Robinson and Jack Robinson as well family members of the Gullat, Taylor and Hills families. He is preceded in death by his parents Buck and Millege (Mimi) Gullat Ledbetter.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Memorial Fund of the Jonesboro-Hodge United Methodist Church.

Thank you for joining us for the first issue of the Jackson Parish Journal! The JPJ is an online news source for all of Jackson Parish.

My name is Ben Ledbetter, and I am the Executive Editor and Market Manager for JPJ. I am a resident of Jackson Parish and I have a passion for serving the community and connecting with people.

With a focus on parish news, sporting events and people our goal is to become the “go-to” news source for our parish. We understand that in a fast-paced world people need news at their fingertips and delivered in real-time. Our first step in making news simple & free is to provide the JPJ free to subscribers in their email on Wednesday and Friday by 6:55 AM. You can also access the JPJ via our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Jackson Parish Journal is honored to become the most recent addition to The Journal family including the Natchitoches Parish Journal, the Red River Parish Journal, the Winn Parish Journal and the Sabine Parish Journal.

I hope you join me in the excitement of bringing you local news when you need it, that is simple & free! Please let me know what you think at JPJjackson@gmail.com. I look forward to connecting with you.

Ben Ledbetter
Market Manager
318-480-1206