Ms. Mary Lee Blackmon

Mary Lee Blackmon was born November 30, 1930, to Julia (nee Taylor) and Charlie Mitchell in Marengo County, AL. Mary earned her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from Tuskegee Institute in 1955. After graduating, Mary moved to Connecticut and New York to begin her career as a dietician. Mary married Zeb Blackmon Jr. on February 19, 1957, and to this union, 5 children were born. Being a military wife, she stayed at home and raised her children while her husband was stationed across the country and overseas. The family moved to Milwaukee, WI in 1969, where she began her teaching career. Mary taught middle school home economics within the Milwaukee Public School System for 20 years. Mary's faith was always important to her, but as a military wife, it was difficult for her to be part of a Christian community. It was only when the family settled in Milwaukee that her faith blossomed. She taught Sunday School, worked on a Billy Graham crusade, was involved in the Women's Prison Ministry at Taycheetah, and did evangelism in various neighborhoods with Rev. Goodlette. She was determined to learn how to study the Bible for herself and took Precept upon Precept classes. She always had the Bible by her side and read it faithfully every day. Not only that, she memorized much of the Bible and loved to quote her favorite scriptures: Psalm 23 and Psalm 103. She became a prayer warrior. Every morning she went to the basement to pray before the Lord. If you spoke to her about a problem, she might give some advice, and then she would say, "Let's pray." And when she prayed, you knew God heard her. Up until Mary's last days, she prayed. When she was not talking or responding to anything, her spirit was still praying. Even when she was in great pain, you could hear her say, "We praise you and thank you and bless your holy and righteous name." Mary Lee Blackmon, age 92, of Milwaukee, WI, passed away September 19,2023, peacefully with her family by her side. She was predeceased by her husband, Zeb (1994), and brother, Charlie Mitchell Jr. (1999). She is survived by her: sister, Idella Wilkerson of Detroit, MI; five children, Leslie Blackmon of Milwaukee, WI, Irving Blackmon (Tina) of Atlanta, GA, Andrea Blackmon of Alexandria, VA, Carl Blackmon of Herndon, VA, and Cynthia Weeks (Robert) of Milwaukee, WI; 9 grandchildren, Moriah Weeks, Solomon Blackmon, Kayla Weeks, Robert Weeks Jr.. Kara Blackmon, Elise Blackmon, Nathanael Blackmon, Nicholas Johnson, and Brittani Shirra; 2 great-grandchildren, Brianna Shirra and Alessandra Shirra; and 2 . Goddaughters, Felecia Valentine and Porshae Kimball.

Ms. Mary Lee Blackmon

November 30, 1930 - September 19, 2023