Phillip Carroll "Curly" Bledsoe

Phillip “Curly” Bledsoe got the most important promotion of his lifetime this past Friday, July 26, 2024, he was promoted to Heaven. He was born May 9, 1942 to the late Hartsell and Maurine “Granny” Bledsoe.

 A born-again Christian, he was currently a member of Calvary’s Cross Cowboy Church in Malvern, Arkansas. Curly had a variety of talents and had a way of making everyone he encountered feel special. 

He served this country in the Army where he was a talented cook. Throughout his lifetime, he was well-known for his barbequed meat and barbeque sauce, and you were truly a part of the family, if you got to enjoy some of it. 

Early on in his adult life, Curly found he was in his element in the rodeo arena and had the most fun title of Rodeo Clown, and he toured the country with his dog, mule, donkey, skunk, ducks, monkey, and beloved Buffalo-bringing laughter and joy to all those in attendance. Part of the Rodeo Clown’s job back then was to keep the Cowboys safe during the bull riding. He was blessed, he got beat up and was sore several days, but he never got hurt really bad protecting the cowboys’ riding bulls. 

Curly was a barber by trade, and it was a little confining, so when Reynolds Metals opened in 1966, he went to work there because it allowed him to have the weekends to Rodeo, and he worked there until they shut down then he returned to the barber chair. When he wasn’t working or clowning around, he also loved to trade horses and attend auctions, and he was also an accomplished auctioneer. 

His love for horses and the western way of life included never missing the annual chuckwagon races held at the end of August each year in Clinton the last 38 years. He competed for many years under the name of the “Dark Horse Bandits”. In the last few years, he has helped by weighing and measuring the wagons & teams of horses or mules, and he loved doing his part to help make the races a success. 

Curly is survived by the love of his life Linda McAdoo, she has stood by his side and taken the best of care of him throughout their time together. He has one daughter, Traynee Rash of Shreveport, and two grandsons Tyler and Logan Rash. Uncle Bruce & Aunt Joann Murry of Magnolia, and Aunt Andra & Uncle Tommy Ayers of Texarkana, Texas. His brother & sister in-love Sam & Janie McAdoo of Benton. As well as a host of close friends and family who loved him dearly.

 In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Nanette and Gary Webb of Benton, his son in law Mike Rash of Shreveport and his brother in love Cliff McAdoo of Benton.

Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 AM on Saturday August 3, followed by a memorial service, officiated by Pastor Gary Duvall, at 10:30 AM at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market Street, Benton, Arkansas. 

While Curly’s promotion has left a huge hole in the hearts of those who loved him, we take comfort in knowing he is at home in Heaven with Jesus and those loved ones who have gone before him.

Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home.  Online guestbook:  www.SmithFamilyCares.com/