Bracy Bledsoe

Bracy Alvus Bledsoe went to his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 6, 2018.

Bracy A. Bledsoe was born November 5, 1917, to Andy Walker Bledsoe and Ida Venable Bledsoe in the small village of Ten Mile, Texas not far from Normangee in East Texas. Bracy was the seventh of eleven children born into the Bledsoe household. He and his twin brother, Tracy Altus, were numbers six and seven. Bracy missed out of being number six by two minutes to his twin brother who enjoyed teasing Bracy that he was the “older brother”.

After Bracy graduated from Normangee High School in the mid-1930’s, he moved to Tyler and worked for three years in order to earn enough money to enroll in Baylor University in Waco and pursue a degree in Bible Studies and the Pastorate. He attended Baylor from 1939-1942. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Addie B. Gilliam, and married her on August 16, 1942. In early 1943, during his senior year at Baylor, and only 6 months after his marriage, Bracy answered the “call to service” and entered WWII.

Following basic training at Camp McCall, North Carolina, Bracy went on to serve with the 111th Airborne Division where he was trained as a paratrooper serving mostly in Luzon and The Philippine Islands. With two previous “close calls” from an artillery shell near-miss and a sniper’s bullet grazing his helmet, Bracy engaged in direct ground combat with Japanese soldiers near Luzon in February, 1945.

Engaged in an assignment as “a connecting scout” Sergeant Bledsoe – while delivering vital messages between units – found himself in close proximity to Japanese soldiers and managed to escape by hiding in thick bushy cover. An advancing US tank unknowingly crossed into the path of the hiding place. His last-second attempt to roll out of the way turned his certain death into a devastating injury. After many months of hospitalization and recovery Bracy recovered from his severe injuries and eventually was able to return home.

Having put his life on the line toward preservation of our American freedoms, Bracy received the Purple Heart medal which he always considered a special honor.

After returning home, Bracy pursued his pastoral ministry and two children were born to Bracy and Addie – Martha Annette and Timothy Joe.

Bracy faithfully pastored Texas churches continually from 1946 – 1981; 1946-47 Friendship Church, Waco, 1947-50 First Baptist Church, Chilton, 1950-55 Emmanuel Baptist Church, Corsicana, 1955-63 Immanuel Baptist Church, Temple, 1963-65 First Baptist Church, Dripping Springs, 1965-72 Ridgetop Baptist Church, Austin, and 1972-81 First Baptist Church, Buda. Bracy retired from fulltime pastoring in 1981.

He continued to serve as pastoral interim and supply minister in the Austin area until 1994 when he retired again to care for his ailing wife. His precious Addie B. passed away in January, 1998.

In 2000 Bracy relocated to Brenham to be near his children. He was an active member at Brenham’s First Baptist Church serving in many areas of the church. He was a beloved by all the members and was the biggest fan of the staff, the worship choir, and handbell choir.

He also loved serving in the community and was a member of the Advisory Board of Kruse Village and Bread Partners which he served in many years.

In September, 2015 Bracy was awarded A SPECIAL THANK-YOU FOR FAITHFUL AND SACRIFICIAL CHRISTIAN SERVICE certificate and award from Dr. Todd Still, Dean and Professor of Christian Scriptures at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Seminary in Waco.

Dr. Still quickly accepted a major role in this long-overdue “special presentation” honoring Rev. Bledsoe for his love and service to an America in wartime; to his beloved Baylor University; and, in a variety of ways, his selfless service in behalf of numerous Texas Baptist Congregations totaling a half-century.

Bracy was preceded in death by his parents, nine sisters and brothers, and wife Addie B.

He is survived by brother Jerry Wayne Bledsoe (Faye); children Martha Annette Haydon (Dr. Robert) and Timothy Joe (Tim) Bledsoe; granddaughter Kerri Haydon Hamilton (Vance) of Brenham and grandson Chad Anthony Haydon (Laura) of DeRidder, LA; his great-grandchildren Caroline, Kaitlyn, Chloe, and Clara Hamilton of Brenham, and Madelyn and Ava Haydon of DeRidder, LA. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and numerous friends all over Texas.

The family would like to express deep appreciation to Hospice nurses Jennifer and Mikki, Dr. Jon Bode, and to his loving caregivers Daniel Taylor, Joyce Pribilski and Charles Pribilski.

Pallbearers are Gregg Appel, Owen Batt, Zane Bledsoe, Chad Haydon, Charlie Haydon, Vance Hamilton, and George Vickrey.

Honorary pallbearers are members of the Scripture Searchers Sunday School Class, the Tuesday Morning Coffee Bunch, TK Condron, Wayne Brown, J. Buford Langston, and George McDaniel.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 9, from 5:30-7:30 at the Memorial Oaks Chapel, Brenham.

The service will be Wednesday, January 10, at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church with Dr. Ross Shelton, Troy Sikes, and Charles Covin officiating. A military tribute will follow the service.

Interment will be at the Capital Parks Memorial Hill Cemetery , Austin.

Memorial donations may be given to the Faith Building Fund of Brenham’s First Baptist Church, Post Office Box 600, Brenham, TX 77833.

Funeral arrangements for Bracy Bledsoe are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.

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