Ruth Blackley

Mr. Blackley preceded her in death Nov. 8, 2004, at the age of 101. She was also preceded in death by her twin sister, Emma Woods Darnell. She had recently celebrated a joyful 104th birthday with family and friends.
Ruth and her twin sister, Emma, were born in Hornbeak, the daughters of the late Frank and Willie (Barrier) Reeves. She married Lennie Blackley May 11, 1933, and together they owned and operated the former City Market in Hornbeak for many years, where you could get the best hamburgers in town.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Hornbeak and was a devoted Christian, wife, mother and grandmother her entire life.
She was always fun-loving, affectionate and young at heart. She cherished lifelong friends and neighbors in her beloved town of Hornbeak. Over the past years, she traveled back and forth from Akron to Hornbeak with her daughter, Joanne.
Mrs. Blackley is survived by her daughter, Joanne West Delpozzo; her granddaughter and her husband, Bethany and Dave Wenger; her grandson and his wife, Ritchie and Susie West; and three great-grandchildren, Riley Jo Wenger, Kaylie Ann West and Van Guy West, all from the Akron area. She is also survived by the family of her sister, Emma Woods Darnell’s son, Clay Woods, and his children and their spouses, Tiffany and Troy Pippin and Jason and Ann Woods, and their children.
A very special note of thanks to all of those who loved and cared for both Ruth and Lennie in their elder years, especially Linda Burpo, the Harris family (Jimmy, Juanita and Tracey) and her surviving relatives — Betty Blackley; Carolyn Blackley; and great-nephew and his wife, Tim and Becky Blackley; Peggy Peyton; Carolyn Grisham; their families; and nephew Donald Lee Robertson.
Visitation will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hornbeak United Methodist Church, with the funeral at 2 p.m. The Rev. Jimmy Calhoun will officiate. Burial will follow at Hornbeak City Cemetery.
Friends and family are invited back to the church for food and a “Celebration of Ruth’s life” afterwards.
Pallbearers will be Tim Blackley, Clay Woods, Troy Pippin, Jimmy Harris, Rich West and David Wenger.
Cryer Funeral Home in Obion is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.cryerfuneralhome.com.