Obituary for Edsel Ford Blevins
Edsel Ford Blevins, one McCreary County’s most beloved citizens, passed away on Thursday December 31, 2020 at Somerwoods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Somerset, Kentucky and was placed in the care of Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home.
Funeral services were held Monday, January 4, 2020 at 1:00 pm graveside at the Blevins-Kidd Cemetery on Peters Mountain.
Edsel was born November 12, 1937 in Bell Farm, Kentucky, to Birdell and Arzona (Kidd) Blevins. He was the last of three children born to his parents, a daughter, Betsy Jane Blevins, and son, Warren Harding Blevins, died in infancy. Edsel remained close to his parents and devoted his life to caring for them. The years rolled by and Edsel never married.
Edsel was the custodian at Smithtown School for many years and was loved by the students and faculty alike. He was always quick with an encouraging word, a hug, a joke or a novelty song. A renowned old time banjo picker, Edsel also spent many years with the Big South Fork Scenic Railway in Stearns, Kentucky as an entertainer and goodwill ambassador for the community. November 5, 2010 was proclaimed Edsel Blevins week in his beloved McCreary County.
Edsel was a devout Christian, and often travelled seven nights per week to play music in church services. He played for several gospel groups over the years and also played on the Friday Night Frolic on WSM radio in Nashville, Tennessee.
Thanks to the efforts of his many friends, Edsel was given the opportunity to share his talent and banjo style with other area musicians and popular venues in the area. Notably, the Master Musicians Festival in Somerset, where he was honored with a lifetime achievement award for his vast contributions to old time music.
Edsel leaves a legacy of music, friendship, service to others and a wonderful example of what it really means to be a Christian.
Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home was honored to serve the family of Edsel Blevins.
Funeral services were held Monday, January 4, 2020 at 1:00 pm graveside at the Blevins-Kidd Cemetery on Peters Mountain.
Edsel was born November 12, 1937 in Bell Farm, Kentucky, to Birdell and Arzona (Kidd) Blevins. He was the last of three children born to his parents, a daughter, Betsy Jane Blevins, and son, Warren Harding Blevins, died in infancy. Edsel remained close to his parents and devoted his life to caring for them. The years rolled by and Edsel never married.
Edsel was the custodian at Smithtown School for many years and was loved by the students and faculty alike. He was always quick with an encouraging word, a hug, a joke or a novelty song. A renowned old time banjo picker, Edsel also spent many years with the Big South Fork Scenic Railway in Stearns, Kentucky as an entertainer and goodwill ambassador for the community. November 5, 2010 was proclaimed Edsel Blevins week in his beloved McCreary County.
Edsel was a devout Christian, and often travelled seven nights per week to play music in church services. He played for several gospel groups over the years and also played on the Friday Night Frolic on WSM radio in Nashville, Tennessee.
Thanks to the efforts of his many friends, Edsel was given the opportunity to share his talent and banjo style with other area musicians and popular venues in the area. Notably, the Master Musicians Festival in Somerset, where he was honored with a lifetime achievement award for his vast contributions to old time music.
Edsel leaves a legacy of music, friendship, service to others and a wonderful example of what it really means to be a Christian.
Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home was honored to serve the family of Edsel Blevins.