
Leona M Blaylock
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Leona Mary Kavanagh Blaylock, age 88, beloved widow of Retired Master Sgt. Edwin Jerry Blaylock, died on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Prisma Health-Tuomey Hospital, Sumter, South Carolina. Born in St. John's, Newfoundland, she was a daughter of the late James Joseph and Bridget O'Brien Kavanagh. She graduated from Presentation Convent and School, St. John's, Newfoundland in 1951. She met the love of her life, "Jerry," while he was stationed at Pepperell Air Force base. They were married in a chapel at The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, St. John's, Newfoundland in 1954 and were married for 59 years.
Leona was a dedicated military wife and homemaker; and, also volunteered locally with Meals on Wheels, Girl Scouts, Gear Up for Learning, Shepherd's Center, Quilts of Valor, St. Anne's Catholic School library and was a homeroom mother. She was also a member of St. Anne's Women's Club, Sumter Crafters Guild, and The Happy Quilters.
"Miss Leona" as she was known to many, also loved to knit, crochet and sew and was a mentor to many by teaching them her beloved hobbies. In her later years she learned to make quilts and gave them to her family; and, also donated quilts to multiple charitable organizations. She bowled in several bowling leagues in Sumter, including Tuesday Night Mixed. Her generosity and incredible sense of humor will be missed by everyone who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Micheline "Mickey" Wheeler of Sumter, Kathleen "Kathy" Stafford and her husband, Robbie, of Sumter, and Teresa Durden and her husband, Tim, of Lexington; her brother, Maurice Kavanagh of St. John's, Newfoundland; her sister, Barbara Moran, of Temperance, Michigan; grandchildren, Gail Marie McLeod and her husband, Clint, Will Jeffcoat-McLeod and his husband Diarte Jeffcoat-McLeod, Christopher Alan Durden and his wife Ayumi, Robert Stafford III, Megan Renee Blaylock, Kenton Bailey Wheeler and his wife, Casey, and Lauren Nicole Blaylock; great-grandchildren, Braxton Alexander Liebsly, Mikayla Leona McLeod; Evelyn Elizabeth "Evie" Stafford. Kazuki Nagano Durden, Henry Ian Wheeler, Seina Nagano Durden and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Edwin Jerry Blaylock II, daughter-in-law, Robin Collake Blaylock; sisters Kathleen, Mary, Margaret, Georgina, an infant sister Margaret; and brothers Thomas, James and Denis.
A funeral service will take place at 12 noon Thursday, June 15th, in the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel, 1190 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, South Carolina. The family will receive friends the hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery in Sumter, South Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Anne and St. Jude Roman Catholic Church, 1855 Beckwood Road, Sumter, South Carolina 29153; KAT's Special Kneads, 3845 Highway 15 North, Sumter, South Carolina 29153; or to a charity of one's choice. A memorial mass will be offered at a later date.
You may sign the family's guest book at www.bullockfuneralhome.com.
The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter, South Carolina for the arrangements.
