Jacob Jeffrey (JJ) Bledsoe passed on Thursday, February 13, 2025, surrounded in love by the five people he loved the most.  JJ was born on October 30, 2010, at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to Jason Samuel and Stephanie Slape Bledsoe.  He was 14 years old.

JJ, the youngest sibling to Samuel, Benjamin, and Hannah, was the truest of little brothers, the first to get mad losing in flag football or wiffle ball with his siblings, to having led his brothers high school pep section at age 8.  He loved yelling "That's my brother" when Sam made a 3-point shot or Ben striking someone out. Loyal to Hannah, he always loved volunteering to attend her swim meets and cheering her on, while also complaining (truest of little brothers) that swim meets are way too long.

JJ had his own passion for sports, whether it was watching his beloved Kansas City Chiefs since the age of 3, to his love of playing basketball and baseball.  JJ loved pitching more than anything and would even get up before school to train.  His goal this last year was to still play the two sports he loved while battling cancer, which he did!

But even with his love for being on the mound like his big brother Ben, it was the amazing friendships which sports brought him that JJ cherished the most. He loved his friends dearly and was blessed to have his two best friends since preschool.

His favorite bible passage focused on that devotion.  "A faithful friend is a sure shelter; anyone who finds one possesses a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price; there is no possible way to measure his worth" -Sirach 6:14-15.

Always devoted to his faith, he was an altar server at his home parish of St. Henry Catholic Church in Charleston.  Since his diagnosis, he had a deep devotion to St Jude and St. Padre Pio (his Confirmation namesake).  He led his family in nightly prayer time. No matter how sick he felt, he always recited his special prayers by memory.  During one nightly prayer, JJ was told by his mom, "JJ, we are so lucky to have you." He said, "I am luckier because I have all of you".

Survivors include his parents, Jason and Stephanie Bledsoe; brothers, Samuel Allen Bledsoe (Alexis Allstun) and Benjamin Slape Bledsoe; and sister, Hannah Marie Bledsoe.  Paternal Grandparents John and Cindy Bledsoe of Charleston, Missouri; Maternal Grandparents, Ronald and Beverly Slape of Kimberling City, Missouri and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until time of the Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, February 17, 2025, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Charleston, Missouri.  Father David Dohogne, pastor of St. Henry Parish and dear family friend will celebrate the Funeral Mass with Father Scott Sunnenberg, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Bolivar, Missouri, and dear family friend, serving as a concelebrant. The Most Reverend Edward Rice will offer the final commendation.

A private "family only" committal service will follow at Texas Bend Cemetery near Charleston.

The pallbearers will be John Robert Bledsoe, Patrick Slape, Bleve Willoughby, Nick Winters, Garrett Cook, and Derrick Biri.

In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, the family kindly requests memorial contributions be given to St Henry Catholic School, 306 Court Street, Charleston, MO 63834 or to the Visiting Nurses Association, 1124 Independence Ave., Kennett, MO, 63857.

McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston, MO, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com