Naomi Ruth Acree Bledsoe was born October 27, 1933, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. After graduating from high school in Okmulgee, she married Charles Bolen and later moved to Texas, where her three children were born. Naomi had been a resident of Arlington since 1960.
Naomi was predeceased by her husband, Bertrand Harwell (“BH”) Bledsoe, and by her elder daughter, Brenda Ann Ellis. The youngest of seven children, Naomi was also predeceased by her parents, Thomas Lee Acree and Delia Mae Acree, by her brothers Herbert Lee Acree, R.C. Acree, and Reginald (“Reg”) Acree, and by her sisters, Jean (“Ona”) Allison, Eunice (“Noonie”) Sheppard, and June Werling. She was also predeceased by her long-time friend and companion, John Royce Heard.
Naomi is survived by her son, Christopher Bolen and his wife, Nancy (Raleigh, North Carolina), and younger daughter, Susan Bolen and her husband, Sebastiaan Boelen (Wimbledon, England); her grandchildren, Victor Henley and his wife, Tausha (Fort Worth, Texas), Jeffrey Henley (Fort Worth, Texas), Charles Henley and his wife, Liz (Atlanta, Georgia), Scot Bolen (Raleigh, North Carolina), Anna-Grace Bolen (New York, New York), Brigitte Boelen and Benoit Boelen (Wimbledon, England); and her great-grandchildren, Anthony, Clarissa and Alexandra Henley, and Brendan and Piper Henley.
She is also survived by her very special friend, Al Silva, who was a blessing to Naomi and her family during the last few years of her life.
Naomi was a long time member of Fielder Church where she was a member of the Forever Praise Choir. She played piano in her Faith Sunday school class for many years, which she felt was her calling. Naomi was very proud of her baby grand piano, which has found a new home at Western Hills Elementary School in Fort Worth, where many children will be given the opportunity to continue Naomi’s love of music.
In addition to music, Naomi loved reading, being outdoors, and being with her family and friends. Pink was her favorite color and she was often called “Miss Pinky.”
The family wishes to thank the wonderful and tireless caregivers at Lone Star Visiting Caregivers and at St. Gabriel’s Hospice for their professionalism and compassionate care during the last months of Naomi’s life. Also, the family would like to thank the members of the professional staff at Town Village Crossing, who were so caring to Naomi during the past several years.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions in Naomi’s memory to Town Village Crossing’s drive to support the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org/northcentraltexas, earmarked for “Town Village Crossing, Arlington, Texas”), to the Music Ministry at Fielder Church (www.fielder.org), or to the charity of one’s choice.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18