William Grady Bledsoe

William Grady Bledsoe, Sr., 89, of Kingsport died early Wednesday morning, December 16, 2009, at home. Born in Blackwater, VA, he had resided in Kingsport since 1959. He had retried from Mead Corporation. He was a member of Roller's Chapel Primitive Baptist Church where he had served as a deacon, and was a member of Taylor Creek Playboys Band in Okeechobee, FL.

Grady was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Monnie Neeley Bledsoe; his
parents, D. B. and Siller Payne Bledsoe; sisters, Laura Barrettand and Rosa Vannoy; infant sister, Bertha Bledsoe; six brothers, Bascom Bledsoe, Oscar Bledsoe, Grant Bledsoe, Elmer Bledsoe, Hagen Bledsoe, T. L. Bledsoe; half-sister Geneva Bowlin; an infant half-brother; and son-in-law, Larry Ellis Persinger.

He is survived by two daughters, Lois Jerelene Persinger, of Kingsport, and Betty Sue Edmonds, of Kingsport; a son, William Grady Bledsoe, Jr., and wife Sue, Warren OH; five grandchildren, Alisé Edmonds, Robert Edmonds, Jr., Lori Bledsoe, Brent Bledsoe, and Susie Roberts; three great-grandchildren, Daniel Bledsoe, Kimberly Roberts, and Heather Roberts; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Sunday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport Chapel, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. or anytime at the home of his daughter, Lois Jerelene Persinger. Funeral services will follow at 7:00 p.m. Sunday with Rev. Oscar Erwin and Rev. Greg Hill officiating. Music will be provided by Cora L. Neeley.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday at Oak Hill Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Greg Wilson, Steve Hunt, Brent Bledsoe, Kenneth Garvin, Johnny Roberts, and Clarence Cook. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of Roller's Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Roller's Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Kim Robinette, 2516 Canton Road, Blackwater, VA 24221.