Dewey Dunagin Blackledge, Jr.

Dr. Dewey Dunagin Blackledge, Jr. passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2015, at his home in Laurel. He was the oldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Dewey D. Blackledge, Sr. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 8 at First Baptist Church of Laurel with visitation Monday, September 7 at Memory Chapel from 5-8 p.m. Interment will be in Laurel Park Cemetery. Dr. Randy Turner, Rev Ben B. James, Jr. and Rev. Lindsey Blackledge will officiate. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Dr. Blackledge was born on August 2, 1942. After graduating from George S. Gardiner High School, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and business administration from Mississippi College. He obtained master’s and specialist’s degrees from Mississippi State University and earned the degree of Doctor of Education at the University of Southern Mississippi. His profession spanned over forty-five years as a public school educator in the areas of teaching, coaching, administration, grant writing, consulting and conducting community education programs. In his early career he became the coordinator of the Distributive Education Club of America, which received numerous national awards. Directorships included the Regional Service Center, the Safe Schools Project and the R. H. Watkins Vocational Center. In 1990 Blackledge organized and led a consortia of eight school districts in establishing the Southeast Mississippi Regional Alternative Education Cooperative and was appointed as superintendent. More recently he served as education consultant with the North Caroline-based Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning. In 2010 Mississippi College awarded Dr. Blackledge the distinguished alumnus for the Education and Leadership Department. An active member of First Baptist Church, he held the positions of deacon and Sunday School superintendent and served on the building and planning committee for the FBC Family Life Center. He was a member of the Sanctuary Sunday School Class. His civic duties included chairman of the Jones County Heart Association, fund-raising chairman and past president of the United Way of Pine Belt Region, past president of the Laurel Kiwanis Club and member of the Jones County Realtors Association. Dr. Blackledge was predeceased by his brother-in-law Frank J. Campbell of Vicksburg and is survived by his wife Mary Jo Blackledge, two daughters Laura Leigh James (Rev. Ben) of Prentiss, Ann Adele Nettles of Pass Christian and one grandson Abel Nettles. He is also survived by two sisters, Ann B. Grogan (Ken) and Carole B. Campbell of Vicksburg and two brothers Lindsey Blackledge (Vivian) of Laurel and David Blackledge (Jan) of Vicksburg in addition to numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are his nephews, Kenneth F. Grogan, IV, Dr. William F. Campbell, Jonathan L. Blackledge, Joshua D. Blackledge, J. Lane Campbell and Matthew D. Campbell. Honorary pallbearers are member of the Laurel Kiwanis Club. To view sign the guest book, visit www.memorychapelaurel.com.

Dewey Dunagin Blackledge, Jr.

August 2, 1942 - September 6, 2015