Larry Mitchell Blakeney

Visitation will be Monday, September 19, 2016 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl, MS. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with visitation one hour prior to the service. The graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. at Liberty Baptist Church and Bezer Cemetery in Raleigh, MS.

He was born May 9, 1940 to Edna and Earnest Blakeney weighing 13 pounds. He was born at home and did not breathe right away. Dr. Coursey revived him after several minutes of resuscitative measures and would tell this story to the staff on many occasions throughout the years of how Mr. Blakeney was "living his second life"

He attended school in Center Ridge, graduated from Taylorsville High school in 1958 and drove a school bus while in the ninth grade. He played football and was a member of the Future Farmers of America.

After high school, he served in the Mississippi Air National Guard. He went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, TX and was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base where he trained in aircraft avionics.

In November 1962, he met the love of his life, Joan Craft. They were married May 19, 1963 in Magee Mississippi and were married for 53 years. He was lead to know Jesus Christ as his personal savior by Reverend Howard Benton on a Sunday afternoon in 1971. His faith and love grew stronger during his life and he loved to share this faith with others.

Planting his garden was a highlight of his year with T.J., his Jack Russell, by his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Edna Blakeney.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Craft Blakeney; children, Melissa (Joel) Wilson, John (Allison) Blakeney, and Rodney (Kristen) Blakeney; grandchildren, Joel (Francesca) Wilson, Alicia (Dannon) Thornton, Katie (Glenn) Shireman, Amelia Blakeney, Connor Blakeney, Jacob Wilson, Abby Blakeney, and Taylor Blakeney; brother, Kenneth Blakeney; Uncle Harvey Blakeney; and 5 great grandchildren.

Family would like to thank Dr.s Warnock, Hamilton, Stephens and Jones, the staff at Baptist hospital CCU and 3 North, and a special thanks to Juanita and Barbara on 3 North.

Visit www.baldwinleepearl.com to sign the online guestbook.