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Life’s Reflection
Cherie Diana Neal Bledsoe went to be with the Lord November 1, 2021. Diane, as she was affectionately called, was born May 12, 1956, the fourth child of Leodis and Ruth Neal in Kansas City Kansas. She accepted the Lord as her savior at an early age at Salem Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev C.B. Bailey. She attended Kansas City Kansas Public Schools and graduated from Wyandotte High School. She went to further her education at Donnelly College receiving her Associates Degree in psychology. She then attended Emporia State University where she graduated with honors in Special Education.
She married Vernon Bledsoe in 1979, out of this union three children were born: Vernon Ozell Bledsoe Jr.; Cherie Alicia Bledsoe; and Cicely Capri Ruth Bledsoe. Cherie made sure her children attended Sunday School, sunbeams, choir, and the usher board at Salem Baptist Church. She was also very involved in their education. Her dream was all her kids receive their education.
Diane was employed at the Wyandot Center for Community and Behavioral Healthcare for over 15 years in different compacities including VISTA, Consumer Affairs Develop Specialist, and Peer Support. She was very influential in the recovery march in the state of Kansas. She became very active in the Kansas Consumer Advisory for Adult Mental Health in Kansas. She also became the executive director of a consumer run peer support center called SIDE (Socialization, Interdependence, Development, Empowerment). During her work she was able to travel to Japan, Australia, and the Netherlands to train and show America’s model of peer support to other countries trying to imitate. Diane trained others and had a love for many of the people there and wanted to empower other individuals to use their strengths for the organization.
Diane is lovingly missed by her children; Vernon Ozell (Bounme) Bledsoe; Cherie Alicia Bledsoe; and Cicely Capri Ruth Bledsoe; grandchildren, Arlen Acosta; Amara Bledsoe; Micah Bledsoe; Jayla Bledsoe; Jayden Bledsoe; Alexander Bledsoe; one great grandchild, Athena Acosta; one goddaughter, Birgundi Clayton; she has nine siblings, June (Marcus) Banks; Don Neal; Clara (Charles) Graham; Cleveland (Sharon) Neal; Debbie (Arder) Wilkins; Tony (Sheryl) Neal; Linda Berry; Gregory (Natasha) Neal; and Michelle (Alan) Brown; she had a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Her exceptional legacy extends to the many mental health organizations she supported relatives, close friends, the Philadelphia Bible Church and Salem Baptist Church family.
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