Julia Blakey

Belden - Julia Dodge Blakey, 53, died Tuesday, October 12, 2010, at her residence after an extended illness. A Tupelo native, she was born February 8, 1957 to Daniel and Lake Strain Dodge. She grew up in Gadsden, Ala. and graduated from Fairfax Hall Preparatory School in Fairfax, Va. before attending Stevens College in Columbia, Mo. Very active in her community, she served as past chariman of the Salvation Army Women's Auxillary as well as the orginator and past chariman of the "Empty Bowls" program. She was also past chairman of the Junior Auxillary and the Gumtree Museum of Art. She served on both the Link Center Culinary Arts Boards and on the Garnder-Simmons Board. She was a member of the Forthian Book Club and the Tupelo Garden Club She was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church where she served as senior warden.

Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at All Saints Episcopal Church with Rev. Paul Stephens officiating. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Dr. John M. Blakey of Belden; her daughter, Anna Merritt Blakey; Dr. Blakey's sons whom she loved as her own, John J. Blakey of Nashville and Peter A. Blakey (Suzanne) of Tupelo and their daughter, Margaret Claire Blakey.

Visitation will be 30 minutes prior to service time at the church Friday.

Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army Womens Auxillary Empty Bowls Ministry, PO Box 706, Tupelo MS 38802; the Saints Brew ministry of All Saints Episcopal Church, 608 Jefferson St., Tupelo MS 38804; or The Gardner Simmons Home for Girls, PO Box 935, Tupelo MS 38802

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com