Cover photo for Chester Hershel Blalock's Obituary
Chester Hershel Blalock Profile Photo

Chester Hershel Blalock

d. April 9, 2017

Chester Hershel Blalock

Chester Hershel Blalock, age 90, of Gautier, passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2017, after a lengthy illness. Chester received his Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and completed post-graduate work at the University of South Alabama. He was elected class president at USM in 1951 and named "Who's Who?" in American Universities and Colleges. Truly a patriot, Chester served honorably in the Navy, the National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve, achieving the rank of captain in the National Guard where he was Company Commander of the Dixie Division. Chester began his career in education in Scott County, Mississippi, in 1952. He moved to Jackson County in 1953 where he served in the capacities as a teacher, coach, and later high school principal and attendance center principal. He also served at Hancock North Central as attendance center principal; Pascagoula and Gautier Junior High Schools as principal, and Copiah County School District as Title I Coordinator. Chester was active in civic and professional organizations, serving in many capacities over the years. He was past president of Jackson, Hancock, and Copiah County Education Associations, Mississippi Association of School Administrators and Jackson County American Association of Retired Persons, Chapter 1213. He was appointed to the Governor's Staff and served as director of the Governor's Highway Safety Program. Other appointments include Community Relations Board, Gautier Utility Commission, State Education Finance Commission, and Jackson County Election Commission. A faithful member of First United Methodist Church of Gautier, Chester served as adult and high school Sunday school teacher, President of the Methodist Men's Club, Methodist Youth Fellowship director, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Pastor-Parish Relations Board, and Lay Leader. Chester is predeceased by his son, John Blalock; his parents, Flora and Jesse Blalock, Sr.; and his brothers, Doyle Blalock, Jesse Blalock, Jr., and Jerry G. Blalock. Chester's survivors include his wife of 62 years, Shirley Bosarge Blalock; his sons, Jeffrey (Susan) Blalock of Vancleave, and Devon (Trudy) Blalock of Crystal Springs; his daughter, Sharon "Susie" Kay Barefield of Hattiesburg; his five grandchildren; his five great-grandchildren; his sister, Sylvia Middlebrook of Baton Rouge, LA; his brother, Harold Blalock of Oklahoma City, OK; and his good friend, Louis Bell of Moss Point; and numerous other friends and relatives. Visitation will be held at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Gautier on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow at Vancleave #2 Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to the Building Fund, First United Methodist Church, 2717 US-90, Gautier, MS 39553.
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Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

5:00 - 8:00 pm

Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home - Ocean Springs

911 Porter Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

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Visitation

Thursday, April 13, 2017

10:00 - 11:00 am

First United Methodist Church of Gautier

2717 US-90, Gautier, MS 39553

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Service

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Starts at 11:00 am

First United Methodist Church of Gautier

2717 US-90, Gautier, MS 39553

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Cemetery

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home - Gulfport

59 Wayside Rd, Stuart, VA 24171

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