Elva Neal Bledsoe

July 16, 1918 - August 16, 2013

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;…Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."-Psalm 23 Big Stone Gap, VA Elva Neal Bledsoe, 95, went to be with the Lord, Friday, August 16, 2013, at Wellmont Holston Valley Hospital and Medical Center, Kingsport, Tenn. She was born in Pardee, Va., July 16, 1918, and grew up in the Fairview community of Scott County, before moving to Big Stone Gap. She was a homemaker. She loved raising flowers, gardening, canning, and taking care of her family. She became a Christian at an early age and attended Phillips Chapel Baptist Church and Zion Church. Elva was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Ode Bledsoe; her two sons, H L Bledsoe and Rex Allen Bledsoe; her parents, six brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Han Tuk Bledsoe; grandson, David and wife, Carolyn Bledsoe, all of Leavenworth, KS; great grandson, Andrew Bledsoe and great granddaughter, Kristie Bledsoe, both of Lawrence, KS; and several nieces and nephews. For the many acts of kindness given to her during her illness, the family wishes to express appreciation to the people from Zion Church, her neighbors, and her caregivers. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Holding Funeral Home (17 E. 3rd St., N.) in Big Stone Gap. The funeral service will follow at 4 p.m. on Saturday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Alan Collier officiating.. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. The family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery by 9:50 a.m.. Pallbearers will be: Claude Bledsoe, M. D. Edwards, Brian Edwards, David Edwards, Jerry Bledsoe and Jerry McLain. To view the obituary online and offer condolences, please visit www.holdingfuneralhome.com. Holding Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.