Ila Mae Bledsoe O'Neal

Mrs. Ila Mae Miller Bledsoe O’Neal, 87, of Dobson, passed away Wednesday morning, January 23, 2019, at Chatham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Elkin.  Mrs. O’Neal was born May 2, 1931, in Surry County, the daughter of the late Charlie Vestal and Ethel Whitaker Miller.  Ila Mae was a lifelong homemaker and loved cooking, gardening, basket weaving, and quilting.  She was a member of Siloam United Methodist Church, Copeland Ruritan Club, and Surry County Extension and Community Association (Copeland).  She is survived by her husband, Enoch Jabronze “Buster” O’Neal of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Paul and Nancy Bledsoe of Bermuda Run and Dr. Randy and Steva Bledsoe of Elkin; a stepson and his wife, Michael and Janie O’Neal of Boonville; two grandsons and their wives, William and Megan Bledsoe of Greensboro and John and Brittany Bledsoe of Wake Forest; two stepgrandsons and their wives, Trent and Alexis O’Neal of Columbia, SC, and Patrick and Katy O’Neal of Dobson; a great-granddaughter; eight great-stepgrandchildren; a brother, Charlie Miller of Dobson; a sister-in-law, Betty Bledsoe of Mount Airy; as well as several nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents, Mrs. O’Neal was preceded in death by her first husband, Paul Henderson Bledsoe; an infant son, Charlie Robert Bledsoe; and a son, Russell Dale Bledsoe.  A service of worship and celebration of Ila Mae’s life will be held Saturday, January 26, 2019, at 11:00 AM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Roy Lee Miller officiating.  Interment will follow for family and friends at 3:00 PM in the New Home Church of Christ Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Saturday from 9:00 until 11:00 AM at the funeral home.  The family wishes to express their gratitude for the love and compassion shown by the staff at Chatham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center as well as Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care of Elkin.  Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to the Siloam United Methodist Church, c/o Joyce Ingram, P.O. Box 16, Siloam, NC  27047; or Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 688 North Bridge Street, Elkin, NC  28621.