Dorothy Kent Blakeney

Dorothy Kent Blakeney was born in Crystal Springs, MS on 04/06/20 to Norman and Idell Kent. She had a younger sister, Jean Kent, and a younger brother, Norman Kent. She became a telephone operator, and in 1942, she married her high school sweetheart, Lionel Q. Blakeney, to whom she was married 72 years. They moved to St. Petersburg at the end of WWII, and she became a full-time mother. In the 1950's, she worked part-time in the bakery of Cronk's Market and in the '60's and 70's worked as a crossing guard for the St. Petersburg Police Department at multiple locations around the city. During that time, she became a grandmother and took care of her granddaughters, Holly and Kim. When they retired in 1987, they bought a house in Cedar Mountain, NC and got a big yellow lab named T-Bone and later a black Lab named Gretchen, enjoying the cool summers and friends there. She loved her four-wheel scooter and growing her flowers and gardening. After an accident when she was 92, Brenda, Lumi, and Vicky became their chauffeurs and caretakers, enabling them to stay in their home. After Lionel's passing in 2015, they stayed on caring for Miss Dorothy and her faithful cat Moe. She was a wonderful mother and enjoyed her children and grandchildren and their friends, particularly Judy Thomas who was often referred to as an adopted daughter, Norma Cusamano whom she considered a sister, and Diana Duncan who called mother everyday until she moved to Texas and even then called once a week. She will be sorely missed and always remembered as being a kind, friendly person who cared for others and loved her pets. She is survived by her daughter, Dianne B. Horton and son, Norman K. Blakeney (Chris), and two granddaughters, Holly K. McKelvey (Michael) of Land O Lakes and Kimberly B. Covher (Brett); Kimberly Ryder, Dana (Monte)Worrell and Dawn Weiher of Pinellas Park; ten great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Lionel Q. Blakeney, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Kent, sister, Jean Kent McFadden, and brother, Norman Carruth Kent. There will be a graveside service at 10 am on Tuesday, August 2nd, at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5750 49th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33709. In lieu of flowers, donations to Suncoast Hospice is requested.