Billy Ross Bledsoe

Billy Ross Bledsoe, age 77, a resident of Cleveland went to be with the Lord on Monday March 14th at the family residence. He was born in the Clay Hill Community of McMinn County, and moved to Cleveland forty years ago. A quiet, soft spoken man of few words, and was well liked by everyone who knew him. He attended McMinn County High School for three years. He played baseball for the Babe Ruth League which went to the State Tournament. He was a former member of the Calvary Baptist church, where he was awarded a plaque for driving the Children’s Church bus each Sunday for 10 years. He was ordained a Deacon on May 30, 1993 at Westwood Baptist Church. He was a member of The First Baptist Church, and a member of Beecher Hunter’s Sunday school class. His hobbies include going to the mountains fishing with his brother, gardening, and watching the Vols. His greatest pleasure, however, was enjoying his grandchildren and great granddaughters. He retired from Jackson’s Manufacturing and opened Bledsoe’s Upholstery where he took great pride in his work for his customers. Billy was loved by many and acquired many nick names throughout his like such as "Poppie", "Papaw", Uncle Monk", "Mouse" and "Curley". He was preceded in death by his parents Stanton Otto and Jessie Juanita William Bledsoe, his grandson Miles Jacob Edward Jenkins, nephew Greg Bledsoe, mother in law Mable Dawson Smith best friend and brother in law David Frederick Smith, and brother in law John Thomas Smith.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 59 years, JoAnn Bledsoe; children Patty Scoggins (Eddie) of Meigs Co. and Wendy Jenkins (Rev. Donnie) of Cleveland, TN; grandchildren: Rachel Martin (Edward) of Nashville. Madeline Scoggins (Ben) of Calhoun and Jonah Jenkins of Cleveland; great granddaughters Olive Bledsoe Martin and McKay Early Martin of Nashville; brother Jimmy Bledsoe (Helen) of Harrison, TN; sisters Betty King of Rossville, GA and Janice Teague (Jerry) of Athens. In addition to these, he leaves behind several nieces, nephews, cousins and many many friends.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday March 19th at Companion Funeral Home at 6:00pm with his son in law Bro. Donnie Jenkins and Bro. Mike Womack officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday March 19, 2016 from 4:00pm until 6:00pm prior to the service at 6:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Mission Fund.
You are invited to share a personal memory of Billy or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral and Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Bledsoe family with these arrangements.