Gladys & Myrtle
Best friends and retired high school math teachers team up to share some very funny yet true stories. These videos, created using Crazy Helium Booth, are sure to brighten your day.
About The Puckerdilly Kiss
The Puckerdilly Kiss is a collection of true, yet unbelievable stories from the lives of Rex and Marie Cherry Ledford, their extended families, and their children. Reared in a dysfunctional, abusive, alcoholic family, Rex weds a sweet, innocent child-bride from a stable, Christian, Appalachian family. The meshing of their lives is certain to leave you laughing, crying, and shaking your head in disbelief as their 62-year long love story unfolds. Madcap antics, gifted storytelling, and his piloting skills made Rex a local legend in Clay County, North Carolina. If you ever laughed at the Beverly Hillbillies, enjoyed Second-Hand Lions, or need a boost in faith, you will love The Puckerdilly Kiss!
My father, Rex Ledford, had developed the ability to captivate an audience like few people I have ever met. Not only were his stories unbelievable and true, he recounted them with a style that left the listener both laughing and crying. I have spent a lifetime listening to and reliving his stories.
I have pondered the writing of this book for over thirty years, however, family and my career as a high school math teacher always took precedence. As my Dad’s health began to decline in his early seventies, the book became more of a priority. At my prodding, he penciled a few stories, but that proved to be a labor-intensive process for him. I captured a few stories on video and finally, I purchased a voice recorder and insisted he use it. It has taken five years to collect the stories you are about to read.
I have spent countless hours and shed many tears reliving my father’s life as I attempted to capture the essence of his style and document his adventures in a readable format. I have tried to assume his persona as the writer. My daddy died one month before the book was completed, but he did get to read the skeleton of it.
The stories are not necessarily in chronological order. Do visit thepuckerdillykiss.com for videos, slide shows, numerous pictures of the family, and even listen to my father telling stories himself. This work is a labor of love for my family. I hope you enjoy reading his stories as much as I have enjoyed watching “that crazy Rex Ledford” tell them.
Love this book great story about life and love and getting through hard times with faith.
This deѕign is wicқed! You definitely know how to keep a readеr amused.
Between your wit and ｙour vіdeos, I was аlmoѕt moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!)
Wonderful job. I really enjoyed ѡhat ｙou had to say,
аnd more than tһat, hoԝ you presented it. Too cool!
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.
I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your
useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly return.
We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your web site provided us with valuable information to work on. You
have done a formidable job and our whole community will be thankful to you.
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it,
you could be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog
and will eventually come back from now on. I want to encourage
you to continue your great posts, have a nice holiday weekend!
I was so captivated with this story and loved every minute. I knew your Dad and mother. Great people and I feel honored to able to enjoy this well written book. He was a great friend of my family and we loved him dearly. Thank you for sharing and it brought me back to my roots. I graduated with Roberta who married Fain.
Thank you for your kind words. So you knew my Aunt Roberta. What are your ties to Clay County? Who are your ancestors? I am so glad that your enjoyed the book. I shed many tears in writing it.
Theresa thank you for being a brave soul and writing a deeply revealing story about life for the have nots who have more than most because they know how to treasure the rare gift of life, love, God and family. I love reading these stories and they bring back memories of our youth when we roamed the mountains smoking corn silk, getting stuck in quick sand and chasing fireflies at night, thank you for the memories.
I am glad that you enjoyed The Puckerdilly Kiss! You forgot smoking rabbit tobacco!
This was one of the best stories I have read! I laughed,cried and was amazed how blessed one little mustard seed prayer changed generations!
Thanks, Bobbie. I am so glad you liked it!
Ann Fraley gave me your book …The Puckerdilly KISS. It was delightful and well written. I am of your Dad’s generation …age 88 now…and grew up in Andrews, NC. Of course, I related to much of your story. I am passing my copy around and ordering copies for some of my relatives too. The Redemption you, your Dad,and your family found in Jesus Christ makes me know we shall be together in HIS Kingdom through eternity. My daughter in law, Susan Page, also taught advanced highschool math in Columbia, SC. She ministered to many students before retiring …to care for 2 autistic grandchildren. I know your book is a blessing to all who read it. Wonder if perhaps I met your Dad? . There were Ledfords, in Andrews, that I knew. Love my beautiful mountain home and treasured memories. GOD brought us to Lowcountry of SC 69 years ago…HIS PLAN for my husband and I…but ❤️ in NC MOUNTAINS.
Thank you for writing this book! Keep publishing!
Thank you for your kind words. I am glad that you enjoyed The Puckerdilly Kiss and that you are sharing our story of faith. God has truly blessed our family. There are more books in the works.
I remember being a kid in my front yard on Fort Hembree Road
and watching Rex doing loop de loops. It was an amazing air show. He would fly over and I’d wave at him, and he would wave the wings back at me. What a thrill to watch. What an awesome book. It is a great story of God’s provision. My whole family has read the book or is reading the book. Thank you for sharing these stories.
Daddy was quite the entertainer! I am so glad that you enjoyed the book. I remember the excitement when we heard Daddy’s plane coming. We always knew we were in for a show.
Great book about your daddy! I knew him only from what I’d heard from my dad Beecher Rogers, Uncle Howard & Aunt Willie, Aunt Helen & Uncle Jack Bristol, Uncle Chestnut & Aunt Lorena Cherry, & numerous cousins. Yeah, my momma was your Grandpa Pearl’s sister, Virginia Cherry Rogers.
Hoping we cross paths someday, if not here then surely where the roses bloom forever, God’s glorious home for his children.