Donald "Claude" Bledsoe

Donald “Claude” Bledsoe, 82, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at Holston Valley Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.

Claude was born December 15, 1942 to the late Oren and Ruby Bledsoe. He was saved and loved his family, friends, and his church family at Salley’s Chapel Baptist Church. He had served as song leader for many years and had sang with various groups at the church. Claude loved working outdoors, gardening, and playing musical instruments, especially his fiddle. He retired from Holliston Mills after 37 years of service. Claude will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His grandchildren were the joy of his life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Eldridge Stipe.

Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Phyllis Bledsoe; daughter, Jennifer Ruefer and husband Shawn; grandchildren, Jordan Smith and Sylar Ruefer; sisters-in-law, Jewell Edwards, Patsy Emory, Carolyn Jacobs and husband Jeff; brother-in-law, Donald Ray Bledsoe, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends from 12pm to 1pm on Friday, July 18, 2025 at Scott County Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow with Pastor George Winegar officiating.

A graveside service will follow at Holston View Cemetery with Brian Edwards, Lynn Lawson, David Edwards, Jordan Smith, Will Edwards, and Brady Edwards serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Hunter Lawson, J C Fraley, Jerry Anderson, Matthew Edwards, Donald Ray Bledsoe, Jeff Jacobs, Jerry Gilliam, Sylar Ruefer, and Shawn Ruefer.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to his doctors and nurses in the ICU Step-Down and ICU for the wonderful care he received at Holston Valley Medical Center.

Carter-Trent/Scott County Funeral Home is serving the Bledsoe family.