P.O. Bledsoe Letters

Perry Oscar Bledsoe was born on September 6, 1924, in Stanton, Tennessee, to Oscar Bledsoe and Addie Sink Bledsoe. He spent most of his childhood in Haywood County, Tennessee, before moving to Montgomery County. Through his uncle Emmitt Gilliam, Bledsoe started a job working for the L&N railroad company in 1941. In June 1944, Bledsoe joined the United States Army and trained at Camp Shelby and Camp Carson. According to Bledsoe’s family, during the war he served in the European theater. After the war ended, Bledsoe returned to work at the railroad company, from where he later retired. Bledsoe owned a home on Maplemere Drive, which was right down the road from his aunt, Annie. He died on March 13, 1993.

P.O.’s aunt, Annie Sink Gilliam, was born on June 24, 1891, to Mashall and Ella Sinks. She was the twin sister to P.O.’s mother, Addie. Annie eventually married Emmitt Gilliam and started working as a bookkeeper for L&N railroad company, where Emmitt also worked. In her free time, Annie was a member of several civic groups, including the Wednesday Club and a women’s book club. Although she had no children of her own, her letters indicate she kept close contact with her nieces and nephews. On May 29, 1984, Annie passed away at the age of 92 at Memorial Hospital in Clarksville, Tennessee.

While living in Clarksville, the Bledsoe family attended First Presbyterian Church and found community amongst its members. Specifically, friends from P.O.’s youth group, like Margaret Hiett, continued to keep in close contact with him during his time in the service. Additionally, W. L. McClogan, the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, was close friends with P.O. and his family.