LEROY BLADES
Johnston City-Leroy Blades, 79, went to be with His Lord, Saturday evening, September 26, in Cedar Hill, Tennessee.
He was born July 30, 1936, in Williamson County, Illinois, to Louis Thomas and Minerva Evelyn Lappin Blades. Leroy graduated from Johnston City High School in 1954.
He married Janice Fay Williams on November 29, 1958, at Harmony Church on the Franklin/Williamson County line. They enjoyed over 56 years of marriage together.
Leroy made a decision to follow Christ in 1950, a decision he faithfully lived out for the rest of his life. His three main loves were God, family and work, in that order. He faithfully attended and served in the Harmony Free Will Baptist Church, the First Free Will Baptist Church of Johnston City, and the Heads Free Will Baptist Church in Cedar Hill, Tennessee, where he spent his final years. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and many others he included as family. He worked over 33 years for General Telephone, where he serviced homes in the Thompsonville area.
Survivors include his wife Janice, children, Keith and Sarah (Blades) Fletcher of Johnston City, John Blades of Ashland City, Tennessee, and David and Cynthia (Balthrop) Blades, of Cedar Hill, Tennessee; grandchildren Aaron and Marissa (Smith) Fletcher, Jesse Fletcher, and Daniel and Hannah (Fletcher) Page, of Nashville, Tennessee; Eden and Leigha (Blades) Ramos and Lewis Blades of Ashland City, Tennessee; Samuel, Autumn, Catherine and Nathan Blades of Cedar Hill, Tennessee; and great-grandson Michael Elier Ramos, born just six weeks ago. Through the years, many others also called him Grandpa, Dad and Uncle.
He is also survived by his oldest brother Gene (Sue) Blades of Thompsonville, his youngest brother Everett (Betty) Blades of Marion, and sister Betty (Blades) King of Johnston City.
Leroy was preceded in death by his father, mother, step-dad Loren Sanders, sister Helen (Blades) Summers, and brothers Paul and Robert Blades.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, October 2, at Murman & Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City with visitation Thursday evening, October 1, from 5-8 p.m. Burial will be at Boner Cemetery near West Frankfort. A memorial service will also be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Heads Free Will Baptist Church in Cedar Hill, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Free Will Baptist Church of Johnston City or to the Heads Free Will Baptist Church Building Fund.