Ronald "Ronnie" Blakeney

Ronald “Ronnie” Blakeney, age 71, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 31, 2023.  He was born October 18, 1951, at USAF Hospital, Carswell AFB, Ft Worth, Texas.

Ronnie graduated from Moss Point High School,attended MGCCC and worked in a number of different occupations    such as construction, insurance, and freelance photography.  He had a passion for helping others sharing the benefits of natural pure supplements for better health.

As a photographer, he enjoyed capturing special occasions for weddings, graduations, funerals, businesses, church directories, and families.  He was blessed to be able to teach a photography class to students while in Ukraine on a mission trip.

His two favorite groups to work with were the Jackson County Bar Association and the U. S. Navy.  He was the photographer for the collages and judges’ portraits hanging in the Jackson County Courthouse.  As an Air Force brat, he found the military close to his heart and was proud to have been the photographer for at least 35 of the ship crews who commissioned here in Pascagoula through Ingalls and at Avondale in New Orleans. 

He was honored to work with musician/artist/writer Stephen Poff as the producer, sometimes director, and yes, he even had a small speaking part, of a locally made movie, “Songs About Your Girlfriend” followed by its sequel, “The Song You Never Heard.”He worked with others on various local movies as well.

He had for the past few years enjoyed working with Movie Ministry Outreach with Hilton Glass. They pre-screen Christian movies to people involved in ministry from Baton Rouge to Pensacola and areas in between.  

As a young man, he was heavily involved with the Jaycees, winning many awards throughout the years.  Ronnie served in every local office available, up to being the President of the Pascagoula Jaycees.  From there he was a Regional Vice President and a state officer as well as the State Chaplain.  He and his wife Gloria produced and directed the Pascagoula Junior Miss Scholarship Program for over 20 years, and were responsible for bringing the program to Gautier as well.

He was an active member of First Baptist Church in Gautier where he served on many committees, videoing church services for the “Shut-In Ministry Program” and many church events.  He was a dedicated member of the “Loose Cannons” Sunday School Class.

Ronnie will be remembered for his optimistic attitude in every situation, sharing his uplifting words of encouragement to any and all.  He found the good in everyone and never met a stranger.  He had a genuine ability to make others see their inner, oftentimes unrecognized, abilities.  

He is preceded in death by his parents, John Franklin Blakeney,Jr. and Effie Lee Brock Blakeney, and twin infant granddaughters,  
 Amelia Joyce and Anneliesse Kim Blakeney.

Ronnie is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Gloria Ray Blakeney;son,Jonathan Blakeney (Elizabeth), Vancleave, MS; two step-daughters, Dodie Aycock (Stan), Gautier, MS; Jamie Albero (Sal), Odessa, FL; grandchildren Amanda Aycock, Gautier, MS,  Sydney (Mark)Toups, Lawton, OK,  Nicholas (Sarah) Aycock, Big Point, MS, Stephanie and Luke Albero, Odessa, FL, Peter, Matthew, and Hannah Blakeney, Vancleave, MS; great-grandchildren Brooke and Regan Verlinde, Adele and Eleanor Toups, Rayleigh, Rebekah, and soon to be born, Matox Aycock. 

Memorial Service will be 11:00 am, Saturday, August 5, 2023, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Gautier, 325 De La Pointe Dr, Gautier, MS 39553,  with Rev. David Aultman officiating. Please write down your words of condolences or share your memory of Ronnie to be placed in a Treasure Box at the church for the family to read after the services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Gautier Backpack or Disaster Relief Ministries or to the Home of Grace, 14200 Jericho Road, Vancleave, MS 39565. You may send condolences to his family on the Tribute Wall.

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