Becky Blair Jolly

Becky Blair Jolly, “Ma’am”, 94, of St. Petersburg, FL passed away May 30, 2025. Born February13, 1931, and raised in Tampa, FL, she graduated from Hillsborough High School. She married her childhood neighbor and the love of her life, Blanchard Jolly, and moved to St. Petersburg in1950. She is preceded in death by her husband Blanchard E. Jolly, her siblings Aurilee Weber Crosby and brother Raymond Clifford Blair. Becky is survived by her daughters Allison Blair Jolly and Jocelyn Holland Jolly; 4 granddaughters Blair Jolly Elliot Dahlstrolm, Brendan Holland Fagan, Blanchard Jolly Fagan, and Bryce Jolly Fagan.

When they say “dynamite comes in small packages” they are defining Becky Jolly. She was diminutive, just short of 5 feet tall, pun intended, yet approached everything with an amazing gusto for life.

Her major passions demonstrated her loving, nurturing core. She considered herself blessed to be a stay at home mom, and later a caregiver to her grandchildren. She loved all children,being involved with school activities such as the PTA, field days, hot dog days, and Girl Scouts. Her house was the most popular after-school destination for the neighborhood kids who gravitated to her and she relished the role, serving popcorn and warm cookies for all.

Providing a strong education was a major factor in inspiring her children and grandchildren. She was a voracious reader, devouring the newspaper front to back every day, and frequent trips to the public library were undertaken for children’s reading time. Although not athletic herself, she encouraged and supported the family’s sporting endeavors, including swim meets, sailing regattas, tennis competitions, and ice-skating events.

Her caring nature extended to a passion for all living things. She was known to tame wild rabbits who would invite themselves in, take a lap around the living room waiting for dinner, then exit. Birds, and especially families of cardinals, would come to the sliding glass door for meals, first Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal and then the babies, after hatching. And of course, there were the stray cats and stray dogs that either appeared or were brought home from college for adoption. Addin numerous hamsters and even a friendly garden snake that would keep her company as she hung laundry on the clothesline and you have another Dr. Doolittle.

She loved being outdoors working in the yard and pulling weeds. She nurtured her beloved plants, especially her orchids and gardenias, coaxing flowers to bloom and gardens to thrive.Indoor garden rooms were a major feature in the houses that she most loved, so that even when stuck inside she could enjoy nature.

Cooking meals was not a particularly joyous chore for Becky, but baking was different. She was famous for baking garlic bread that fed the whole church, lemon dream bars, Oreo bon-bons, and apple dumplings. When sick, we were treated to cheese toast and red soup, soft boiled eggs, and other comfort food. Southern style home brewed sweet tea accompanied every meal. And coffee was always percolating or brewing, morning, noon, and night, whether it was cold or hot outside.

Becky orchestrated the best parties, they always had a theme with attention to every last detail, and everyone eagerly anticipated their invitation. She embraced her husband’s family name, “Jolly”, and embodied the B Jolly theme, but especially during Christmas when it was “Tis the Season to Be Jolly”. Becky and Blanchard’s cars always sported a custom “B Jolly” license plate, so friends and neighbors often spotted them cruising around town.

A very organized, meticulous person, she enjoyed spending hours doing the laundry. Clothes were sorted by color and fabric, with separate loads for every color of the rainbow, often leading to 6 or 7 mini-loads of laundry in just one day. All clothes were ironed, permanent press label or not, including boxer shorts and hankies, the first items she taught her daughters to iron.

Finally, above all, she had an enduring faith in God. She was devoted to the Church, serving on the altar guild, leading vacation bible school classes, and caring for infants in the nursery. “Bless your heart” was authentic to Becky, and in her loving, compassionate way, she truly wished for everyone and everything on earth to receive the Lord’s blessing.

In lieu of flowers, Becky has requested donations be made to The St. Thomas Memorial Fund, St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, 1200 Snell Isle Boulevard Northeast, St. Petersburg, FL 33704.  From this fund permanent additions are made to the Church to enhance its ministry and mission.