Jessica Lynn Baldridge, 34, of Raceland, Kentucky, passed away unexpectedly on November 13, 2017.
Jessica Lynn had a lifelong passion for music. At age 13, she began performing locally in a band that included her father, brother and aunt. Entering her hometown True Value Jimmy Dean Country Showdown, she was chosen 1st runner-up. The following year Jessica Lynn recorded her first CD.
In subsequent years she shared the stage with many greats including Charlie Daniels, Ricky Skaggs, Kathy Mattea, Merle Haggard, John Berry, John Michael Montgomery, Ronnie Milsap, Montgomery Gentry, The Kentucky Headhunters, Exile, The Spinners, Steve Cropper and Richard Marx.
Jessica made numerous television appearances, Destination Stardom from Honolulu, Hawaii, Women's Entertainment in Nashville, TN, "In Performance at the Governor's Mansion" a KET Broadcast, KY, The Mountain Art Center Series in Prestonsburg, KY, and WTSF Christian Station from Ashland, KY.
She was featured live on radio, WTCR-Huntington, WV, WRVG-Lexington, KY, and the WoodSongs "Old-Time Radio Hour", Lexington, KY, which is broadcast across the USA, Canada, Australia, Hungary, Poland, Hong Kong and Ireland. Jessica also had the opportunity to audition for the movies, "Coyote Ugly"
and "One More White Christmas."
Jessica was active in her high school choir and was selected to All State Honors Choir and All State Piano. She attended Belmont School Of Music in Nashville, Tennessee. Trained in classical guitar and piano, her greatest love was performing.
Born August 31, 1983, to Warren L. (Butch) and Beverly L. Baldridge, she was preceded in death by her father, Warren L. Baldridge; paternal grandparents, Warren and Gloria Baldridge; maternal grandparents, Thomas and Ina Farmer; aunts, Faye Clevenger and Helen Bush.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by a brother, Chris Baldridge. Also survived by aunt Kathy (and uncle Jim) Rice; uncle Raymond Bush; aunt Dianne Goodson; aunt Rita (and uncle Greg) Wells; beloved cousins, Libby, James, Lora Lee, Grant, Kevin, Amanda, Ryan and Ashley; and her close Maltese companion, Axel.
Funeral services will be Friday, November 17, 2017, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church Russell, KY. Burial will follow at Bellefonte Memorial Gardens. Ken Gowin will officiate.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, November 16, 2017, at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jessica's memory to Ashland Animal Rescue Fund or Greenup County Animal Shelter.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Steen Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent to steenfuneralhome.com.
