Joyce Delane Blackledge

Joyce Delane Blackledge, 90, of Laurel, MS passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at her home in Mill Creek. Joyce was born on March 11, 1925 in Laurel, MS, the daughter of Ellis Blackledge and Odie Henderson Blackledge. She lived her entire life in Mill Creek. Joyce was an employee at JC Penney in Laurel for more than 40 years, starting her career at the JC Penney store in downtown Laurel and retiring from the store at Sawmill Square Mall. Joyce was a member of First United Methodist Church in Laurel where she was in service in many areas. She was a member of the Wesley Fellowship Sunday school class; served as treasurer of the Thirty-Niners; held various offices in United Methodist Women; and after her retirement from Penneys worked as a church office volunteer every Monday afternoon for many years. Joyce was a member and treasurer of the Country Gardeners Club. One of the many joys of her retirement was growing flowers and making beautiful flower arrangements. Joyce was a true Southern lady – loving, gracious, kind, compassionate, refined. Her goal in life was to be in service to God and to everyone she met. Her love and acceptance was felt by everyone who knew her. Survivors include her loving and devoted sister, Wema Blackledge; her sisters in law Bonnie Blackledge and Carolyn Blackledge Nine nieces and nephews: Ken Blackledge, Stan Blackledge, Gregory Blackledge, Karen Milner, Stewart Milner, Steve Milner, Karla Milner Martin, Pam Blackledge Hunt, and Janice Blackledge Clark. And a host of cousins and grand and great grand nieces and nephews that loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ellis Blackledge and Odie Henderson Blackledge; her brothers Jim Blackledge and Wayne Blackledge; and her sister Beatrice Blackledge Milner. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 23, 2016, at Memory Chapel with burial to follow at Blackledge Cemetery in Jones County. Rev. Mark Anderson will officiate. Visitation will be at Memory Chapel from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday. Joyce’s niece, Karla Milner Martin, will sing one of Joyce’s favorite songs, Hymn of Promise. Pallbearers are Gregory Blackledge, Stan Blackledge, James Clark, Cody Pitts, Stewart Milner, Steve Milner, and Justin Blackledge. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Joyce Delane Blackledge

March 11, 1925 - January 20, 2016