December 7, 1925 – June 15, 2025
Jerleen “Toots” Irvin, 99, Carmel, passed peacefully in her sleep on June 15, 2025. Toots was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend.
She is survived by her son, Bob; daughter-in-law, Pam; grandchildren, Jessica and Michael; nieces, Lawanna Clendaniel (Ken), Barbara Lynn Bledsoe Koester, and Kim Bledsoe; nephews, David Mike (Tina), Michael Bledsoe (Melinda), Matthew Irvin (Erica), and C.J. Irvin (Kim); numerous great- and great-great-nephews, nieces, and a huge number of loving cousins. She was dearly loved and will be sorely missed.
Toots was born in 1925 to Robert C and Maude Witt Bledsoe, in Co-Operative, Ky., a coal town in Southeastern Kentucky, where her father was a Mine Superintendent. He died in an automobile accident when Toots was a child. Toots’ mom then moved back home to Rose Hill, Lee County, Va., with her kids in tow (Toots and her brothers, Bob and Claude). They moved in with Toots’ grandmother, “Mamie” Witt and Uncle Ambrose Witt. Toots grew up there, graduated from Thomas Walker High School, and met her future husband, Thomas Hugh Irvin, after he returned from WWII. While continuing to live there, they suffered the loss of their first child, Tommy, and rejoiced in the birth of their second child, Bobby Hugh, now Bob. In 1957, Toots, Hugh, and Bobby moved to Carmel in 1960.
Hugh came to Carmel as a teacher and head baseball coach. He later became the first principal of Carmel Elementary, then Curriculum Director, and finally … Assistant Superintendent of Carmel Clay Schools. Toots was a loving mother, wife, Cub Scout Den Mother, and a “card carrying” member of the Carmel Coaches Wives. Toots, Edie, and Betty sat together at every Carmel High School basketball game in the southwest corner of the gym … cheering on the Greyhounds no matter what.
Toots also owned and operated Jerleen’s Beauty Shop in Carmel, where she and her friend, Edie, worked together. The Beauty Shop was always full of people, fun, and laughter, and was a key information center for the town of Carmel in the 1960s.
As a longtime Member of Carmel United Methodist Church, Toots was a faithful believer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and is currently in Heaven with Jesus, Hugh, Tommy, and all of her Born Again Christian family who have gone before. Praise Jesus! Philippians 1:21 says that “… to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Amen!
There will be a private ceremony in Middlesboro, Ky., on July 5, 2025, where Toots’ body will be buried next to Hugh in a mausoleum overlooking Cumberland Gap.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to a Christian ministry or church in honor of Jerleen “Toots” Irvin.
Come Holy Spirit, guide and direct those who have a heart to give … to donate to a Christian ministry that reflects the Love and Grace of Your Good and Faithful Servant, Toots Irvin. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.
Condolences: bussellfamilyfunerals.com