Claudia Lynne Garvin Blackledge

Claudia Lynne Garvin Blackledge, was born on April 18, 1947 to the late Ernest and Edna McLaughlin. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, her precious father and mother-in-law, JM and Grace Keyes Blackledge, her much loved and adored sister, Debbie Furr and her very favorite son, Jeffrey Milton Blackledge. Lynne was a graduate of Laurel High School (if you have any stories of Lynne and her high school bestie, the late Pam Todd, please keep them to yourself!) and was raised at 624 27th Street, where she, Debbie and her much loved little brother, Steve routinely met neighbor kids for bike rides and games. She often spoke of neighborhood friends but her most precious memories were those involving her Johnston cousins and Garvin grandparents who lived just around the corner. Ernest made sure Lynne was at Highland Baptist Church every time the doors opened, and those Sundays usually ended with dinner at Granny Garvin's house after the service. Larry, Carolyn and Sonya and their families remained close to her heart until her last breath. Before her death, Lynne passed her crown to Sonya as the new Head of Family Gossip. It was in Laurel that Lynne met the love of her life - Junior, Mull, JM, Shug, June Bug, Jasper Milton Blackledge, Jr. He was a country boy and she was a city slicker, but they were stuck like glue for almost 60 years. Together, with their lifelong best friends, Ray and Carolyn Hodge, they eloped one September in 1966 and afterwards spent an exotic honeymoon in Hattiesburg. The couples would remain best friends throughout their lifetimes. Junior's employment led Lynne away from Laurel. First to New Orleans where unbeknownst to Lynne and her co-worker, had befriended an older man at a local coffee shop who turned out to be the biggest crime boss in the Southeast. They then moved on to Jackson and finally, Columbus, MS where they would call home for about 10 years. While in Columbus, many close friendships were made as were wonderful memories of neighbors who became more like family. The Holmans, Granthams, McBrayers, Bakers and Pattersons were all a part of their Eastwood Hills family. Lynne absolutely loved Columbus and missed living there immensely. As you can imagine, she was fully immersed in the community leading Girl Scouts, serving as a Homeroom Mother for her children Lisa and Jeff and helping with Acteens at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, where she was an active member. Lynne was an assistant teacher at New Hope Elementary School in a special needs classroom with her bestie, the late, great, Ann Dove, she drove a school bus, helped run a dry cleaner and remained a committed wife and mother. She attended Mississippi University for Women School of Nursing until she was forced to dissect a fetal piglet and it was at that point, she decided she would no longer be pursuing a career in the medical field. Junior's final job transfer led them right back to where it all started, Laurel, MS. They moved onto several acres a few hundred yards from where Junior was raised and lived some of the best years of their lives there. They were blessed to be surrounded by both sets of parents and Junior's sister, Helen Blackledge Stanley and her husband, Wayne Stanley who were not only relatives but also good friends. Both remained a big part of her life as did their children Angela Stanley Culpepper and Amy Stanly Tisdale and their families. She was also blessed to continue a close relationship with her late sister's family, Bobby Furr, Chris, Cliff, Katie Furr Mobley and their families as well her brother, Steve Garvin and his children Matthew Garvin and Kaitlyn Garvin Brown. Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend and life of the party, Lynne was so many things to so many people. She was an outstanding advocate for adults with special needs, retiring from Pine Belt Mental Healthcare after many years of service. It was there that she met her best friend, Mickey Blakley, who remained a very devoted friend throughout Lynne's life as did Shirley McCann, whom Lynne considered a sister from a different mister. Lynne adored Shirley's family as her own. Like at least 4 other little girls, Shirley's grand-daughter is named after Lynne. As is Meredith Prescott Greenhaw, daughter of precious family friends, Rex and Jen Prescott. Each of these little girls, who are now grown women, are a living tribute to sassiness, spunk, fun and a little mischief, just like their namesake. Lynne was blessed to witness the marriage of son, Jeff to Misty Doggett Blackledge and have her three beautiful grandchildren, Katherine Jade, Mallory Claire and Jacob Matthew. She squalled at the wedding of daughter, Lisa to Jeff Elmore, whom Lynne adored and, was later blessed to see Mallory wed Tayler Gainey, whom she adored and Jade wed Zac Chisolm, whom she also adored. Her most favorite event was watching those great grandbabies arrive, Elliott Claire and Emmerson Fern Chisolm. Of all of her jobs, she loved being MEME the best. Lynne's well-worn heart finally gave out after a lifetime of sharing it with so many of her friends, neighbors, colleagues and the friends of her children who considered her their second Momma. If you knew Lynne, you loved her and she loved you....until you messed with her family or friends and then whoa be unto you. The devil himself trembled at her rath should you upset someone she loved. Lynne went to sleep on Saturday evening, August 1 7th and woke up in the arms of Jesus, just like she planned on doing. She was "ready to go home" and knew her Savior was waiting for her with open arms. Following her wishes, there will be no traditional funeral service. Friends and family are invited to a short graveside service that will be held on Thursday, August 22nd at 11:00 a.m. at Mill Creek Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery, located at 2319 Mill Creek Road, Laurel, Mississippi. Funeral services are being handled by Memory Chapel of Laurel, MS. Donations may be made in Lynne’s memory to Special Olympics. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Claudia Lynne Garvin Blackledge

April 18, 1947 - August 18, 2024