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Funeral service for Donnie (Donna) Lay Blackmon, 71, of Cullman will be at 11 a.m., Thursday,
April 22, 2021 at Cullman Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Hopewell Cemetery. Rev.
Steve Rodgers and Rev. Delbert Freeman officiating. The visitation will be Wednesday evening
at the funeral home from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Cullman Funeral Home is honored to serve the Blackmon family.
Mrs. Blackmon passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, April 19, 2021 at
her home. She was born December 23, 1949 to Quinton Freeman and Audrie Viola Dye Lay.
Donnie was the office manager for Dr. William Marshall. She later was co-owner of Cullman
Optical Shop. Donnie enjoyed cross-stitch, sewing, and cooking until she no longer could due to
the neurological effects from Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration, secondary to breast cancer
23 years ago. She was always an avid reader and enjoyed watching her soap operas. Donnie was
most proud of being Nana. She loved her family and fought to live and enjoy each moment with
them. She never complained and always had a beautiful smile on her face.
Donnie was preceded in death by her parents.
Donnie is survived by her husband of 48 years, Fred Blackmon; daughter, Leah (Keith) Messick;
granddaughter, Alli Shawn Messick; brother, Garry (Lois) Lay; brothers-in-law, Bud (Pat)
Blackmon, Kelvin (Ann) Blackmon; sisters-in-law, Diana Cagle, Linda (Michael) Schaefers;
special niece, Candice (Trent) Scott; loyal Labrador, Charlie; a host of nieces and nephews;
family; and friends.
Pallbearers are Chad Blackmon, David Blackmon, Jason Blackmon, John-David Grey, Ross
Jochum, and Trent Scott. Honorary pallbearers are Jacob Grey and James Grey.
