Lenora S. Blackledge

Lenora Irene Stamper Blackledge February 3, 1926-February 23, 2011 On Feb 23, 2011 Lenora Irene Stamper Blackledge of Heidelberg Ms., peacefully went to be with the Lord at Embracing Hospice in Snellville Ga. while closely attended by her daughter Ava Blackledge and prayed for by those who knew and loved her. Mrs. Blackledge was diagnosed several years ago with Alzheimer’s disease and had been cared for by her daughter for the past two years. She was preceded in death by her son George Lewis Blackledge Jr. of Biloxi Ms., her parents, Sarah Lelia Thomas Stamper and Oscar Jerome Stamper of Heidelberg, Ms., sisters Gwendelyn Stamper Blue of Heidelberg, Ms., Flora Ellen Stamper Boney of Heidelberg, Ms., Edna Eugenia Stamper Byrd of Laurel, Ms., and Hazel Grace Stamper Roberts of Birmingham Al.. Survivors include her husband of 61 years, George L Blackledge Sr. of Heidelberg, Ms., daughter Ava M. Blackledge of Atlanta, Ga., and daughter-in-law Marsha Staeling Blackledge of Biloxi, Ms.. Surviving grand children are, Amber B. Watson/Chris Watson of Lucedale, Ms., Sarah B. Odom of Biloxi Ms., George L. Blackledge III of Biloxi Ms., Peyton R. Knight/Ian Knight of Atlanta, Ga., Aaron A. Rhodes of Atlanta Ga./ Heidelberg, Ms., and Peter O. Rhodes of Atlanta Ga./Laurel, Ms. Great grand children include, Cody Watson, Haley Watson, Holly Watson, Jake Watson, Garrett Watson, Audrey Watson and Eve Knight. Surviving brothers are James O. Stamper of Birmingham, Al., and K. H. (Hobert) Stamper of Heidelberg, Ms.. Mrs. Blackledge is also survived by several nieces and nephews of whom she was particularly fond and was affectionately know to them as “Aunt Punch”. Mrs. Blackledge worked as a nurse at what is now the H. C. Watkins Memorial Hospital in Quitman Ms., and was the Jasper Co. nurse in the late forties during which time she met and married George Blackledge. She also worked as a nurse at Boone Clinic in Laurel Ms., and as a nurse for Dr. Glen B. Ruffin, at Medical Arts in Laurel Ms., during the fifties and early sixties respectively. She retired from nursing in the early seventies, finishing the last ten years of her career at Keesler Air Force Base Hospital Biloxi, Ms., as a civilian nurse. She will be remembered in her career for her resolute attention to care and her commitment to her patients. After moving back to Heidelberg in 1988, Mr. and Mrs. Blackledge attended church at Pine Grove Baptist Church and Shady Grove Baptist Church, both in Heidelberg, Ms.. She will be warmly remembered by her loving family as a smart, ambitious, independent, and industrious Christian woman who deeply loved and took care of her family with great character, integrity and unconditional love. The Blackledge family wishes to convey our most sincere thanks for all the prayer and concern shown for Mrs. Blackledge. Services are set for Saturday March 5, 2011 at Shady Grove Baptist Church, 1220 Hwy 11 Heidelberg, Ms.. Viewing will start at 9AM. The service will start at 11 AM and will be led by long time friend and pastor, Mike Moss. Directly after the service, Mrs. Blackledge will be laid to rest beside her family at Pine Grove Baptist Church cemetery, where there will also be a brief service. Funeral arrangements are being made by Memory Chapel of Laurel Ms.

Lenora S. Blackledge

February 3, 1923 - February 23, 2011