I do believe you pointed it out sometime ago but hit probly bears retelling for the "new folks." Here abouts locally, the preface:

• Well bless her soul..: This is not necesssarly the benign benediction thet some might suppose hit to be The phrase is usually heard along the lines of Well bless her soul, she can't help it if'n she warnt born with natural beauty.

It's generally considered that enny comment begun with "Bless her soul..." bestows a benevolence on whut some might otherwise consider the catty conclusion to the sentence.

-COF
Laird of Dun Roman, Hi o'er the beautiful Knifley Glen