Mr. James Earl Bledsoe, better known as Earl, age 86, of Fleetwood, passed away Tuesday morning, May 4, 2010 at his home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 2pm at Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Daron Brown officiating. Burial will in Fleetwood Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8pm on Friday, May 7, 2010 at Boone Family Funeral Home. Mr. Bledsoe was born in Ashe County on Saturday, May 19, 1923 to the late James Walter Bledsoe and Margie Moretz Bledsoe. He retired from Fleetwood Elementary School, where he was the custodian. He was also preceded in death by a son, Larry Bledsoe; two brothers, Clyde Bledsoe and John Bledsoe; two sisters, Lucille Greer and Joann Alexander. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Jordan Bledsoe; two daughters, Carolyn Gentry and husband, Will, of Brevard, NC and Brenda Pardue and husband, Andy, of Rhonda, NC; a brother, Ronda Bledsoe, of Maggie Valley; four sisters, Mary Welborn of Deep Gap, Mildred Williams, of Portland, Oregon, Clara Fletcher, of West Jefferson and Betty Graham, of Pennsylvania; five grandchildren, Cameron Pardue and wife, Abigail, Brandon Pardue and wife, Ashley, Nathan Pardue and wife, Renee, Philip Bledsoe and Jesse Bledsoe; two great grandchildren, Aubrey Pardue and Kaden Pardue; three step grandchildren, Derek Gentry, Darin Gentry and Dara Gentry; two step great-grandchildren, Sophia Gentry and Evie Gentry; several nieces and nephews also survive. Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to the donor's choice.