Aunt Tess,

Thank you for all the chats we had to learn about the family. It was very evident that family means a lot to you, and you definitely played your part to keep the family together and to keep it strong. You valued education and unity, something we hope the youth of our family take to heart. We'll always remember that for every family get together you made us all sing Lift Every Voice and Sing, even if we couldn't hold a note or remember the lyrics. We're so glad you got to spend almost 100 years on this earth trying to make it a better place. You've always been there emotionally and financially for just about everyone in the family. Thank you for your support. Have fun dancing up there. We love you and we miss you!

Michael and Ronda DeGonia and the kids

Dear Tamara, Ray, and Rory, 

May your entire family continue to receive comfort and strength from our Lord, the Great Comforter. 

And, may God use the sweet memories you have of Ms. Theresa  bring smiles to your faces, always. 

God is praised for the gift of  Ms. Theresa, and for the way she was  dearly loved and cared for, by you!
Shalom!

My deepest condolences to Tamara, Ray and the entire family. Mrs Blackmon was a beautiful woman whom I loved chatting with; do cherish her wonderful memories that you shared.
May she Rest In the Peace of Christ

Dear Tamara, I was so sorry to hear about your mother Theresa Blackmon. Please know you’re in my thoughts during this difficult time. Sending you and your family love and strength.
 With my heart felt sympathy,
DeShawn ( Niece of Dennis and Jewel Gory)

I remember living in Riverside as a kid for a short period of time. There were mornings where Rory and I were woken up, while still dark outside, to be taken to Ms.Theresa's house as our parents went to work. She would turn on the TV and make us a hot bowl of oatmeal before taking us off to school.  That oatmeal was good and so was Ms. Theresa. 💜 She was always kind and sweet, and stern enough so we knew our limits as kids. 
She lived a beautiful and long Life and I'm grateful to have known her. Loss is inevitable yet never easy 🙏🏾 I send My sincere condolences to the family. Know that my prayers are with you always. ❣️

Love, 
Danielle

Mom
I never doubted that your unwavering love was a gift to me, your daughter. It was a delight to care for you these last 10 years of your life when you were unable to. Now you have been called to your eternal home. You were not only mother, you were daughter, sister, wife, aunt, cousin, and friend to countless many in the 99 years and 8 months you spent here in the earth realm.
 Mom, you were a light in my life and your legacy will continue to   
                                           shine brightly
                         Your daughter, Tamara Georgette

Kindness and care were traits that Theresa extended to all who crossed her path.  She offered words of encouragement and displayed generosity to so many, including her extended family. May God comfort her family and friends, for her love and presence will be sorely missed.

Please accept our deepest condolences. Our thoughts are with you Tamara and the Blackmon family during this time of sorrow. May God grant you strength and peace. You’re in our prayers during this difficult time. 

Beverly Gory and Family

Whenever my family and I had the opportunity to spend time with Miss Theresa, I knew I was in the presence of someone special and something special. Tamara’s mom was proud yet humble, soft spoken yet a strong communicator. She was revered by so many. Quiet yet left an impressive impact on us. We were so happy to be able to spend her 85th birthday with her in Nevada.  Tamara, you did good with your mom. You honored her on many occasions and I know these last 10 years having her with you at home is a beautiful gift to be treasured always. With love 💝 and sympathy 💐 , The Riley Family Fontana, Ca Yecenia, Greg, Bishop and Braki and Dalis and The Dawson Family, Tampa Fl.

Hello, this is from the GREEN‘s family. We have known Teresa over the years many many years ago a beautiful lady well known in California my condolence to the family Tamara Ray, and Rorry. I’m sorry for the loss of your mom. I know just how you feel so she is in no more pain. She’s with the Lord and we are blessed to share her life and her memory. Thank you so much and God bless.

Love you ALWAYS Grams. Can’t wait to see you again 🙏🏿

Beautiful Aunt Tess, 
You were someone we so looked up to. It brought me so much joy to videochat with you a year ago and see that lovely smile of yours.  Thank you for being a strong, generous, thoughtful, joyful inspiration to us all.  We love you.

My dearest dearest grandmother; may you rest peacefully in eternity. You were truly a testament to Gods favor. You’re being in my life was so special to me. Especially since my maternal grandmother,Ruby Jackson may she rest in peace, isn’t here to share this lifetime with me. I will always and forever hold my most favorite memory of you. I was at least in the third grade. You surprised me for grandparents day. I remember clear as day how you also came in black and white because I too had a black and white outfit on!! It was during lunchtime and I remember you coming up behind me with you’re sweet and low voice, “Hello Evette” I must’ve turned around so fast with my eyes as big as the sun with excitement and shock haha. But it’s the little things and the “little moments” such as those that make such a big impact on one’s life. She was and is forever still one of my favorite people and as much as it hurts me to say “goodbye” I know my heart also rejoices knowing that you will forever and always be in the presence of our Lord and Savior. I love you so so so much and Lord God knows how much I wish I could hug you one last time and see that bright smile I’ve ALWAYS loved. But until next time Grandmother, with much love and admiration your granddaughter Evette

So much joy. So much wisdom.  A life well served.

Stephen

My Aunt was a very beautiful, vibrant and radiant spiritual being. She cultivated all the fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. She wove a bright and shinning golden thread through the tapestry of my life. I stand taller because of her. Thank you Aunt Tess.
Love,
Carolyn Burns

Ms Blackmon will be deeply missed by the Gory family.. Even though her technical role was that of a Grandmother; she served and was seen as more of a motherly figure. More so to my daughter Evette as she remembers a time when in elementary school Ms Blackmon suprised my daughter for grandparents day. Evette had no idea however I remember her excitedly telling her Mother,who has passed in the year 2020, and I that she had popped up during her lunchtime. She has no idea the impact since that day that she has made in my daughter’s life since then. In her absence we pray for peace and comfort for her family and friends. Ms Blackmon will and has forever stamped her presence upon our family’s hearts & minds and we will forever cherish her memories made with us. May she rest eternally in peace and forever rejoice in the presence of our Lord. We love you so much and may you be with us as our guardian angel. You’ll always be in the hearts of our family as well as Dennis and Virginia Gory

My condolence to the Blackmon family, Tamara, Raymond (my cousin) and Rory, they are all my cousins.   I called her mama she was always very pleasant you never see her without a smile on her face and gratefulness in her heart thanking God for giving her one more day above ground, she was the life of the party, she loved to dance, and sing, also loved having a good time with family and friends. Mama Blackmon was caring gentle and humble, and how do you say goodbye such a beautiful soul, but the father has work for her in heaven. this lady was meek, calm and just as sweet as ever, I loved her like my own mother, I will miss her more at Thanksgiving family dinner, Mama Blackmon will be missed by all who came to know her, I have known her over 40 years, and she will not be forgotten in my heart, I Love you mama, rest in Peace, I pray for strength for her daughter, son-in-law and grandson whom she loved dearly. To God Be the Glory, From Audrey Whyte and family.

Cousin Tamara, Raymond and Rory, thank you for sharing your mother, mother-in-law and grandmother with us.  
She was an inspiration and family rock for all of us.  I remember doing odd jobs for your mom and learning so much about life.  She had a way of making everyone feel special, appreciated and having her full attention.  She was smart, hardworking, educated and had a great career helping others.  In those times, for a young Black woman, those accomplishments were huge.  She was proud and tough, but did not look down on other people, she understood their circumstance and helped them improve.    
She set high goals.  Your mom, bought one of the early Mustangs, later she bought other fine cars including one of the early Cadillac Sevilles.  These were huge achievements and gave inspiration to others.  Many of our neighbors looked at her with pride and had a more positive sense of themselves.  There were no Black quarterbacks, Black ballerinas on TV, Black astronauts in space, few national Black politicians, and a Black President was a distant thought.  Civil rights were being fought for.  Your mom was an example for all people.     
She bought and sold property.  Having an uncanny sense of property value and always improving her holdings.  
Early on, your mom was the sole remaining of her siblings being preceded by others.  Your mom took everyone under her wing.  She was a true matriarch.  Some people do things that impact themselves, their child and future generations.  Your mom was this sort of person.  She illuminated a darkened path for us to follow.  
She reminded us of the past and gave us pride by leading us in “Lift every voice and sing” during family events reinforcing our connection to the past and our future.  
She also shared “your children will live in a world that you cannot dream of.”  Prophetic words.  
So, Aunt Tess, thank you for your wisdom and all of the opportunities you created for our future generations.  
 
God Bless you, we love you.

I remember Auntie Thess said to Korey, "Sorry Sir, but there is nothing in there young fella." As he tried to lay back into breastfeeding position. She quickly gave him back to me and said. "You're doing a great job." Something that I really needed to hear at that time in my life.

Auntie Thess proud to meet her great-great-great nephew. Korey Eugene Slaughter who was 8mos old still learning everyone was not the milk maid.

My Hometown - Terre Haute, Indiana - Theresa Blackmon 1965
"Ahead lies the promise of security, both financial and emotional, for me, my daughter, my brother, sister-in-law and their six children. We have the feeling that even with things are not as we would have them, that they can and will be better. The opportunities are here and that we can take hope that our children and their children will know a better neighborhood, a better city, and eventually a better world."

My Aunt was a family leader and a role model for us all. Heaven receives one of the Greats.

Gregory Slaughter

OBITUARY

Theresa Arlettia Blackmon

July 9, 1925 – March 29, 2025

Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park

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