Betty Jean Bledsoe

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Betty Jean Bledsoe, age 50, of Du Quoin, Ill., passed away on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 9:45 a.m. in Nature Trail Health Care Center, Mt. Vernon, Ill.

Betty Jean was born on Feb. 14, 1962 in Salisberry, Md., a daughter to Cass Mixen and Bessie Lee (Simmons) Bledsoe. She was a member of Smith Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, Du Quoin, Ill. and had worked at Walmart, East Peoria for seven years and Gilster Mary Lee and loved playing basketball, volleyball, track and enjoyed talking to people.

Survivors include her daughter, Felicia (Eric) Bledsoe Howard of Mt. Vernon, Ill.; three brothers, Roger Cass (Brenda) Bledsoe of Du Quoin, Ill., James Edward Bledsoe of Du Quoin, Ill. and Charles Edward Bledsoe of Peoria, Ill.; two sisters, Barbara Boyd of Du Quoin, Ill. and Gloria Cox of Peoria, Ill.; two grandchildren, Erica Howard and Eric Howard; two nieces, Tabitha Lynn Bledsoe and Bridget Denise Bledsoe and one nephew, Paul Michael Boyd.

She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant sister, Mary Louise Bledsoe.

Funeral services will be held at Smith Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, Du Quoin, Ill. on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Freddie Banks officiating. Interment will be in Old Du Quoin Cemetery, Du Quoin, Ill.

Friends may call at Smith Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, Du Quoin, Ill. on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Memorials may be made to the the family of Betty Jean Bledsoe or the American Diabetes Association.

Pyatt Funeral Home, Du Quoin, Ill. is in charge of the arrangements.

For more information or to sign an online guest register, please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.