Frances May Blakeney

Frances May Boswell Blakeney, 81, an inspirational and much loved teacher of history and music, passed away October 12, 2012 of natural causes at The Blake in Ridgeland, MS.

Her funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Andy Pearson officiating. Interment will follow in Oddfellows Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church fellowship hall from 1-2 p.m. Sunday. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 162, Macon, MS 39341 or Central Academy, P.O. Box 231, Macon, MS 39341.Cockrell Funeral Home of Macon, MS is in charge of arrangements.

Frances May Boswell Blakeney, daughter of the late Joshua Stevens Boswell and Lynn Gamblin Boswell, was born August 7, 1931 at their home seven miles outside of Macon, MS. She received her high school education at Macon High School. Her first two years of college were spent at Blue Mountain College. She then transferred to Mississippi State College for Women, now MUW, where she graduated with a degree in Social Studies, and a minor in Secretarial Science.

After teaching two years in Shaw, Mississippi, she married Hershel Blakeney and moved back to Macon in 1959. She taught Music Education in the Macon Elementary public school system before teaching thirty years at Central Academy. While at Central Academy, she taught American, World and Mississippi history and was in charge of many extracurricular activities. She also served as District Chairman of Social Studies.

She was an active member in the First United Methodist Church and served her church in many areas. She organized and directed a Youth Choir. She served on the Official Board, was presented the Life Award by the Guild, taught adult and youth Sunday School classes and counseled with youth groups. She substituted as church pianist and was a dedicated member of the Chancel Choir.

She was a member of the Dancing Rabbit Chapter, NSDAR and served as American History month Chairman, Chaplain, Librarian and Corresponding Secretary. Her community service included volunteer work with the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association and Cancer Fund drives. She is a past president and life member of the Macon Junior Auxiliary, and also held offices of Treasurer and Projects chairman.

Among her special interest were sewing and other types of needlework, gardening, reading, playing the piano and the preservation of Noxubee County.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Hershel Blakeney. She is survived by two daughters, Lynn Blakeney Stepp and her husband, Karl and Mary Frances Blakeney Brumfield and her husband, Frank. Also surviving her are three grandchildren: Swayze Brumfield, Blake Brumfield and Lucy Brumfield.