Lila Bennett (Tadlock) Blakney

Lila B. Blakney, 94, of Hendersonville, NC died early Tuesday morning, February 5, 2019 after an extended illness.

Mrs. Blakney was born on Wednesday, April 23, 1924 in Rocky Mount, NC to the late Ashby and Myra (Brough) Tadlock.  She was raised by her grandparents, George and Florence Brough in McKenney, VA.  Upon graduation from high school she moved to Washington, DC to attend Washington Secretarial School for one year and later was employed by International Harvester.  On June 17, 1941, as the former, Lila Bennett Tadlock at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center she married her loving husband of 40 years, Mr. James Robert Blakney who died January 18, 1981.

In 1944 she gave birth to a daughter, Cheryl and later in 1947 gave birth to a son, James, Jr.  She resided in Washington, DC until 1955.  The family then moved to Miami, FL where she worked at a prestigious law firm for 33 years before retiring.

Mrs. Blakney taught Sunday school for many years in Miami, FL and was a faithful member of the church choir.  In 1994 she moved to Hendersonville and was an active member of First Baptist Church serving as the Sunday School Outreach leader and was a member of the church prayer group.  Mrs. Blakney was an avid reader and loved to travel and was able to fulfill one of her longtime dreams by visiting Israel.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her devoted children, Cheryl D. Holderith of Hendersonville, NC and James R. Blakney, Jr. and his wife, Christine of Brunswick, GA.  Other survivors include four grandchildren, Laurie Frailey and her husband, Glenn, Janette Trauschke and her husband, Edward, James Blakney, III and his wife, Sandy and Kyle Blakney and wife, Jesselley; ten great grandchildren, Courtney and her husband, Wade, Garrett, Matthew, Blake, Colin, Joshua, Jenna, Kaiden, Karson and Kenzie; two great-great grandchildren Alexis and Chloe.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Jo Tadlock; niece, Suzanne and her husband, Tommy; and a nephew, Stuart and his wife, Laura.  In addition to her husband and parents she is preceded in death by her beloved son-in-law, Kenneth J. Holderith.

Funeral services will be 2 o’clock Monday afternoon, February 11, 2019 in the Shuler Funeral Home Chapel, 125 Orr’s Camp Road, Hendersonville, NC with Rev. Wally Shamburger officiating.  Burial will follow in Shepherd Memorial Park in Hendersonville, NC.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. that afternoon in the Funeral Home Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be offered on behalf of Mrs. Blakney to Four Seasons Compassion for Life “Hospice,” 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC, 28731 or to the donor’s choice.

Lila will be deeply missed by her loving and devoted family and many dear friends.

Arrangements for Mrs. Blakney are in the care of Shuler Funeral Home in Hendersonville, NC.  Online condolences may be shared at shulerfuneralhome.com.