Jerry Ray Bledsoe

Jerry Ray Bledsoe, age 79, went home to be with Jesus May 16, 2026. Born on August 23, 1946, Jerry was the son of the late William Joseph Bledsoe and Mary Elizabeth Whitaker Bledsoe. He was also preceded in death by his three brothers, Junior Bledsoe, Kenneth Bledsoe, and Jackie Bledsoe. Jerry Ray and his brothers took care of each other and loved each other deeply. Jerry Ray was a hardworking man with a simple way about him and a personality people won’t forget. He spent many years working in sheet rock and construction and later enjoyed farming alongside friends. After his retirement you could catch him sitting around at The Hitchn Post or on the front porch with his best friend Arlin. He was known for his funny one-liners and sayings that could make people laugh even in the middle of an ordinary day. He had a way of keeping things light while also speaking truth in his own unique style. One of the greatest blessings of Jerry Ray’s life was his lifelong friendship with Arlin Stanley. For over 60 years, the two shared a bond more like brothers than friends, spending countless hours together “solving all the problems of the world.” Jerry Ray dearly loved Arlin and his wife, Edna Jean, along with their children: Ginger Smith, Pam (Mike) Cheek, Kent (Kim) Stanley, and Dena (Phillip) Cave, as well as all of their children and grandchildren who became like family to him. He also leaves behind many cousins and extended family members that he spent time with over the years. Jerry Ray proudly served his country during the Korean War and carried great pride in being an American veteran. November 16, 2016, Jerry Ray was baptized at Salem Fork Baptist Church. His life was completely transformed by Jesus. For the past 10 years he has faithfully served, and he loved his church family- especially his Sunday School class. His renewed life through his faith in Jesus was evident to everyone who knew him and it leaves a lasting testimony of how the grace and mercy of God knows no bounds. There is peace in knowing Jerry Ray is now in the arms of Jesus — healed, whole, and home. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for his hard work, his humor, his loyalty, and how well he loved those closest to him. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 19, 2026, from 1:00-2:00 PM in the Salem Fork Baptist Church life Center. Services fill Mr. Bledsoe will follow at 2:00, in The Salem Fork Life Center, with Rev. Sean Joplin and Rev. Glinard Lawson officiating. Burial will follow in the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery with Military Honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Honor Guard Mount Airy Post 2019 and Pilot Mountain Post 9346. The family would like to express their gratitude to the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home for their extraordinary care during his final days. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Salem Fork Baptist Church mission team. Moody-Davis Funeral Service in Dobson is respectfully serving the Bledsoe Family