Adalene Kelly Bledsoe

Adalene Kelly Hay Bledsoe, of Huntsville, passed away peacefully on her 97th birthday. She was born at home in Jeff, AL to Thompson R. Kelly and Adalene Rhyne Kelly. Adalene graduated from Huntsville High School, Stephens College and the University of Alabama. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Adalene taught elementary school for several years before earning a master's degree in counseling psychology from Alabama A& M University and beginning her career as a licensed counselor.

Adalene served two years as president of the Madison County Mental Health Association and was a member of the boards of the Mental Health Association and the Downtown Rescue Mission. She was a charter member of the board of directors for CASA and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Huntsville.

A long-time member of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Adalene was on the church staff as the Family and Marriage Counselor for 25 years. She also served as the president of the Episcopal Church Women, was a member of various committees, and sang in the choir for 40 years. Adalene served the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama as a member of the Commission on Ministry and the Episcopal Church Women Board.

She was preceded in death by husbands, John C. "Jack" Hay, Jr. and Theodore "Ted" Bledsoe, her sister, Mary Eva Kelly Johnston and her brother, Thompson R. Kelly, Jr.

Survivors include her children, John C. Hay, III (Meredith), Susan Hay Woodroof (Thomas) and David Kelly Hay (Paige Beitel); and grandchildren, Tom Woodroof (Lacey), Adalene Woodroof, Sarah Woodroof, Kelly Hay, John William Hay, Thomas Hay and Katherine Hay.

Adalene's family expresses their deep gratitude to the Fleming Farms staff and caregivers for their love, support, and care during her final years. It is most appreciated.

A Memorial Service will be at 11:00 am Friday, February 20, 2026, at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity with the Reverend Michael Goldsmith officiating. A reception will follow the service in Ridley Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, 208 Eustis Avenue Huntsville, AL 35801 (https://www.nativity-hsv.org) or the Downtown Rescue Mission, 1400 Evangel Drive, Huntsville, AL 35816 (https://www.downtownrescuemission.org).