OBITUARY: Grace M. Blackman

Grace M. Blackman, 91 of Stonefort, passed away at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale on Sunday April 6, 2014.

She was born on May 29, 1922, in Saline County to the late Edward Arthur and Hilery Canary Empson Ozee. Grace married C.L. Blackman and he preceded her in death on Jan. 23, 1980. She worked at the Saline County Courthouse, was clerk of the Stonefort Township and the General Assistance Clerk. She held the township clerk's position since around 1953 until her retirement. She was a member of the Stonefort Missionary Baptist Church for 66 years. She also belonged to the Stonefort Chapter No. 31 Order of Eastern Star.

She is survived by her two sons, Jim and Terri Blackman of O'fallon and Bill and Jackie Blackman of Ozark; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, James (Carlina) Ozee of Evansville, Ind.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one brother, Bob Ozee; and one sister, Blanche Corbella.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at the Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills. The Eastern star rites will begin the service at 11 a.m. followed by the Rev. Keith Bunfill officiating the funeral service. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Salem Cemetery in Carrier Mills.

The family's preferred choice of remembrance is memorials to the Stonefort Missionary Baptist Church in lieu of flowers. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.