Emma Lee Bledsoe

Emma Lee Dansby Bledsoe died December 6, 2019, at home in Dallas, surrounded by her three children. She was monumentally kind and lived a grand life, serving as an incredible role model for her family. Emma Lee was a world traveler, adventurer and a partner extraordinaire for her husband of 68 years, M. C. “Sonny” Bledsoe, who preceded her in death.

Emma Lee was born January 23, 1924, in Alexandria, Louisiana. Shortly after her birth, her parents moved to Monroe, Louisiana, for many years, then relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana, where Emma Lee graduated from Byrd High School in 1942. Following graduation, she attended business school and began work with Western Union Telegraph Co. in Shreveport. During World War II, Western Union assigned her to work in several cities across the country, including New York, Chicago and San Antonio, which spurred her life-long interest in traveling the world.

After the war, Emma Lee returned to Shreveport, where she worked at Walgreens. She loved recounting the story of meeting her future husband as she was leaving work one fateful day. Waiting for a trolley with her friend, Noreen, the two young women were stopped by two handsome sailors who engaged them in conversation. Sonny Bledsoe often said he knew when he saw Emma Lee that she was “the one.” Shortly afterward, he asked if she would like to meet his grandparents, who had raised him. The rest, as they say, is history. They were married May 30, 1946, and enjoyed 68 years of marriage in what anyone would call a great love-affair relationship.

Emma Lee and Sonny lived in Shreveport for 20 years, where he was a car salesman and Nash Rambler car dealer. In 1966, they moved to Alexandria, Louisiana, for 15 years, where they raised their family. They moved to Jackson, Mississippi, to expand their car business and subsequently made their home in Arlington and then Dallas.

Emma Lee and her husband were active members of University Park United Methodist Church. She was also a member of local garden clubs and community organizations in the cities where she lived and was a wickedly smart bridge player. Emma Lee was also an award-worthy needlepointer and avid reader. Emma Lee and Sonny enjoyed traveling with friends to Las Vegas, where they took in the nightlife, with fabulous floor shows, great food and some gambling. Together they traveled the world, across the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, and were ceaselessly curious in their adventures. Above all else, Emma Lee loved spending time with her family.

Emma Lee is survived by her daughter Mary Sue “Susie” Courtney and her husband Randy; and sons Matt C. Bledsoe IV, and his wife Cindy, and William C. “Bill” Bledsoe and wife Lalis. Ten grandchildren children and eight great-grandchildren survive her, including Randall Courtney, Emily Courtney and Katie Courtney Kratus and her husband Jim; Kelly Bledsoe Baxter and husband Corby; Whitney Bledsoe Marshall and husband Richard; Alexandra Marie Bledsoe and husband Santiago Mesta Orendain; William Creighton Bledsoe, Jr., and Sophia, Jessica and Isabella Bledsoe. Emma Lee’s brother and sister, Thomas Charles Dansby of Monroe, Louisiana, and Carolyn Applegate of Los Angeles, also survive her. In addition to her husband, Emma Lee was preceded in death by her parents Grace and Emory Dansby.

The family would like to thank Emma Lee’s caregivers, Michelle Perry, Rita Smith, Sherry Grauer, Lynda Pevey ,and her entire team for their love and support over the last four years.

A memorial service will be held on December 27 at 12:00 noon at Sparkman/Hillcrest in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco or a charity of their choice.