Rosemary Nichols Blakey, age 93 passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2018. Visitation will be 11:00am Monday January 22, 2018 followed by services at Raymond United Methodist Church at 12:00pm Monday January 22, 2018 with burial to follow in Raymond Cemetery.
Rosemary was born on May 16, 1924 to Louise Burnham Nichols and Clarence Clifton Nichols in Louisville, Mississippi and grew up in McComb. She finished McComb High School and Sunflower Jr. College in Moorhead. After teaching math for a year she worked as a telegraph operator for the Illinois Central Railroad during World War II.
Rosemary met Durward Lacey Blakey at the ICRR Hospital in New Orleans where Durward was completing his medical doctoral at LSU. They were married two months later on April 7, 1946, a marriage that lasted for 68 years and were separated only with Durward’s passing in 2014. They had one child, Kenneth Tyler Blakey.
The couple spent one year at Jefferson Hillman Hospital in Birmingham where Durward completed his internship and then moved to Jackson to begin work with the state health department. Dr. Blakey was called to Army service in 1948 with the 8055 MASH Unit on the front line of the Korean War. Rosemary and Kenneth moved to Japan for two years residing in officer’s quarters at Camp Fuchinobe near Yokahama until returning to Mississippi in 1951.
Dr. Blakey went to work for the Mississippi State Health Department and was assigned to Clarksdale, a town they enjoyed, and immersed themselves in the society there. Rosemary was a charter member of the Oakhurst Baptist Church and was president of the Coahoma County
Women’s Auxiliary and on the board of the Coahoma County Hospital Auxiliary. Both were active in promoting arts and entertainment for the community. After six years Dr. Blakey was appointed state epidemiologist.
The family moved to Raymond in 1957 and remained there loving the people, the town, and their home. Rosemary was an active member in the Raymond Methodist Church and Raymond Culture Club.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Hilda Nichols Smith. Her survivors are son Kenneth Tyler Blakey of Raymond, and grandson Noah Jon Blakey of Los Angeles. Also, nephew David Lee Odom (Kim) of Jackson and niece Tyler Simser (Jeff) and children Ashley and Joshua of Jackson.
Rosemary was a passionate lover of all animals and all humankind. During the years many found their way to the Blakey Home. None were ever turned away.
Memorials may be sent to the ASPCA, Samaritan’s Purse, or
Raymond United Methodist Church.
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