RALEIGH

Rebecca Blalock, 89, passed away at home Friday June 11 ^th , 2021.  Graveside Services will be held on Tuesday June 15 ^th at 1:00p.m. at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh.

Rebecca is predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Roy M. Blalock, Jr., and her mother, Rosa Jones Wade.  She will be lovingly remembered as "Ma" by her son, Steven Roy Blalock and daughter-in-law Phyllis; grand and great-grandchildren Shelley, Steven, Jr. and wife Kim; Stacy Blalock; Laurel and Perry Elkins; Jordan and Chase Blalock; Sydney Blalock and brother-in-law Gerald Blalock.

Rebecca grew up in Garner, NC on Jordan Road where she attended Garner Grammar School with childhood best friend, Frances Wilson, from first grade to 11 ^th grade  - the highest grade at that time. She played on the school basketball team and graduated Garner High School in 1950. She enjoyed keeping up with the alumni of the Garner Schools over the years and attended several class reunions.  Rebecca was especially close to her classmate and cousin, Elaine Jones, and maintained a long friendship over the years.

In 1950, Rebecca and Roy married and lived at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock, NC and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC for Roy's military service. Rebecca worked at the PX on base during these years.  After moving to Raleigh, their son Steve was born in 1954.

She and Roy enjoyed camping with Steve for many years, traveling the continent from Florida to California and Canada. They loved dancing, bowling with their couples bowling leagues, traveling to multiple states and cruising together. Rebecca was a loving and devoted caretaker for her mother's final years and especially so during Roy's long illness until both he and her mother passed away in 2000.

Rebecca continued bowling with her friend Ellie in the Silver Foxes Senior Bowling League, competing and winning medals and trophies in the annual North Carolina Senior Games and in National Tournaments.

Rebecca spent many enjoyable years traveling and cruising with her dear friend and brother-in-law, Gerald Blalock.

Rebecca was a seamstress extraordinaire, sewing many clothes and useful items for her family such as Shelley's senior prom dress, maternity clothes and baby bibs. She  even designed and created a canvas cover for Steve's 18' boat.  She crocheted for years making many beautiful afghans and blankets for her family and friends as well as baby caps for hospital newborns.

Rebecca hosted Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve family dinners. A meal at Ma's was a tradition cherished by her family especially her grand and great-grandchildren.  Her family will miss her cabbage casserole and hot potato salad.

Rebecca was a pensioner with Norfolk Southern Railroad; she was also retired from Alcatel in 1991 and enjoyed volunteering at Rex Hospital for many years afterwards.

The Blalock family is deeply indebted to Rebecca's granddaughters, Shelley and Stacy, for their intensely devoted and loving care and sacrifice that they provided during her final months.  The support and friendship that Gerald shared with Rebecca during her last months is a great comfort as well.

The family also wishes to thank Dr. Anthony Rico for his wonderful care over the years; the nurses and aides from Heartland Hospice, especially Leroy, RN; Mary Beth, RN, and Meredith, NP, for their compassionate and diligent care of Rebecca. A special note of gratitude goes to Linda Bowles for her loving care and support of the family during Rebecca's last days.  The family also thanks Kurtis and Lisa with Montlawn Memorial Park for their professional and kind assistance to the family  in fulfilling Rebecca's final wishes.