Willie Mae Vanleer-Bledso

Willie Mae Bledso was born May 11, 1929, in Pulaski Illinois. She was the third of six children born to the late Henry Herbert Wright and Lula Bell Roberts-Wright. Willie Mae attended Banaker Elementary School, and still remembered the name of her first teacher, Miss Anderson. Willie Mae shared other memories of childhood, such as the family surviving a tornado that tore down every inch of a two-room house, except the corner where her family was crouched. She enjoyed talking about the piece of farmland they had and riding horses, growing up tending to and milking cows, having pigs, planting vegetable gardens, helping her father pick strawberries from the field, and even picking cotton. Just recently, during Thanksgiving 2021, she demonstrated to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren the hand-picking process she would utilize to separate a piece of cotton from its stem. Additionally, her passion through the years has been digging in the earth and surrounding her home with beautiful flower gardens.
The family moved from Pulaski, Illinois to Paducah, KY, then eventually settled in Evansville, Indiana, still farming on a plot of land they acquired. She often indicated that with the farms, they were self-sufficient; they ate what they raised. Willie Mae recalled her father killing hogs and keeping them in salt houses to preserve them. After settling in Evansville, she attended Lincoln High School, and married Edward Vanleer at the age of 18. During this union three daughters were born, Geraldine, Talitha, and Rene. Edward Vanleer preceded her in death, and she married John Bledso in 1999, who also preceded her in death.
Willie Mae worked for a number of years at Deaconess Hospital in the Dietary Department. She also worked as a preschool tutor for the Community Action Program of Evansville Head Start. She accepted Christ at an early age, had a beautiful solo voice, and loved to sing in church choirs. As a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, she assisted with the Food Program and other ministries as needed.
Willie Mae departed this life on February 26, 2022. Living a full life of 92 years, she has left an amazing legacy. She leaves to mourn, her sisters: Elsie and Pearlie Louise; daughters: Talitha, and Rene; 7 grandchildren: Kerry, Terry (Janice), Jermaine (Dana), Tamera (Harry), Aliza, Ja’Rue, and Ja’Heim; 8 great-grandchildren: Kel’von, Javan, Moriah, Kayleigh, Isaiah, Uriah, Apryl, Kerry Jr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by siblings: Hubert, Harold Edward, and Lula Bell; daughter: Geraldine; granddaughters: Lorita and Corita; and grandson: Amon.
During the last 2 months of her life, following diagnosis of breast and colon cancer, she NEVER complained of pain nor took ANY drugs! She was lucid, poised, and dignified throughout her transition to Glory. She always smiled and tried to make everyone else feel good. Mrs. Willie Mae Bledso, what a remarkable, sophisticated God-fearing lady. Affectionately known as “Big Mama”, she was truly respected and adored by so many. To know her, was to love her!