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Delores S. Ledbetter, Uniondale educator and youth advocate, dies at 83

Delores Singletary Ledbetter, a longtime Uniondale teacher, died on Aug. 5. Credit: Daryl Matthews

The works of Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison and Zora Neale Hurston graced the bookshelves of Delores Singletary Ledbetter, a Renaissance woman whose mantra, family members said, was: "You must trust yourself; Think for yourself; Speak for yourself; Be yourself. Imitation is suicide."

The Mississippi-born educator and youth advocate from East Northport, who was dedicated to enhancing the lives of her students, died on Aug. 5. She was 83.

"She was highly intelligent, a conversationalist, an avid reader, very funny, and she made an impact on her community," said sister Shirley Singletary Hudson, of Middle Island.