Minnie Leola Bledsoe

Minnie Leola Campbell Bledsoe was born on August 22, 1938 - October 27, 2026 to Minnie Louise Smiley and Julian Andrew Campbell. She was raised with loving care by her mother and step-father, Benjamin Harold Lytle.

A dedicated student, Minnie attended Indianapolis Public Schools #24 and #87 before graduating from Shortridge High School in 1956. During her high school years, she excelled academically, making the Honor Roll all four years, serving as secretary for Future Farmers of America, and enjoying bowling. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Ball State Teacher’s College in 1960. While in college, she became a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. A memorable highlight from her internship at Harper Hospital occurred in 1959, when she was famously photographed being kissed on the cheek backstage in Detroit by singer Brook Benton.

Minnie began her professional career in 1961 as an ASCP-Registered Medical Technologist in the Hematology Department at Methodist Hospital. That same year, she married James Martin Bledsoe, embarking on a journey as a military spouse that took her around the globe. She worked as a medical lab technician in Havre de Grace, Maryland, before moving overseas to Bad Godesberg / Bonn, Germany, where her husband was stationed at the U.S. Embassy. During her time in Germany, Minnie served as a lab technician at the embassy, taught conversational English to German college students, served as President of the local Bowling League, and traveled extensively throughout Europe, visiting Holland, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland.

Upon returning to the United States in 1967, Minnie lived in Aberdeen, Maryland, and spent three years in Kentucky before settling back in Indianapolis. She dedicated her remaining career to the medical field, working at St. Vincent’s Hospital, the V.A. Hospital, Community Hospital, and Methodist Hospital, before retiring from Methodist in 1997. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she was an avid bowler and bridge player.

Minnie was preceded in death by her father, Julian Andrew Campbell; her mother, Minnie Louise Lytle; her step-father, Benjamin Harold Lytle; and her children, Eric Vincent Bledsoe and Jennifer Louise McAtee.

She is lovingly survived by her sons, Darrell Dwayne Bledsoe (Dolores) and Jerome Martin Bledsoe (Darlet); her grandchildren, Darrina, Destiny (John Parks II), Deana, and Steffon (Roxanne); and her great-grandchildren, Natalie Rae, Isaiah, and Elora.