Katherine Blackmon Bledsoe

Katherine Meeker Blackmon Bledsoe passed peacefully, Jan. 13, 2013. Katherine (Katie to her friends) was born in 1930 in Paris, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her mother, Emily Kate Alexander, father Leroy Meeker, first husband John R. Blackmon and second husband Howard Bledsoe. She is survived by her only brother, William Meeker of Virginia. Her childhood years were spent in Alliance, Ohio. Katie was very active in her high school, played the piano beautifully, and excelled in English and grammar competitions. After 2 years at Dennison College, she transferred to Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. While in college she was a Tri Delta sorority girl, voted Queen of the May, served as a Cheerleader and then was introduced and married to John R. Blackmon of Canton, Ohio. Their first home was in Cleveland Heights, Ohio while John Blackmon pursued a Medical Degree and Katie put her teaching degree from Mount Union to work teaching first grade until her first two children, John R. Blackmon, Jr. and Charles A. Blackmon were born. Moving to California in 1960 was highlighted by the birth of her third child and only daughter, Barbara Lynn Blackmon (Massey). Katie and family moved to Washington in 1962 and settled in Edmonds where she resided until her death. During her years in Edmonds she volunteered her time at the many school libraries and was an active member of the League of Women Voters. She married Howard Bledsoe of Seattle in 1987, with her granddaughter Emily Blackmon Barber (18 months) as their witness. Her passions in her years with Howie were ballroom dancing, spending time with her children and grandchildren, visiting the Hawaiian Islands, and taking car trips (with frequent stops for local meals). Katie is survived by her children, John Blackmon Jr. (Susan) of Las Vegas, Charles A. Blackmon of Lynnwood, Barbara L. Massey of Monroe, and stepdaughter Cheryl Avery (Jack) of Seattle. Grandchildren Peter Blackmon, Emily Blackmon Barber, Jack Blackmon , Laine Blackmon, Jason White, Jeremy White all of Las Vegas. Siena Massey, Hadleigh Massey, Sean Avery, Carly Avery, Lindsey Avery all of Seattle, great grandchildren Tristan Blackmon, Preston Blackmon, Kingston Blackmon, and Erin Katie Barber of Las Vegas.