The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
May 10, 1922

MRS. MILLARD BLACKLEDGE

Lenna, much beloved wife of Millard Blackledge, passed away at the Marietta Phelps hospital in Macomb, on the early morning of May 10th, 1922, aged 36 years, 8 months and 14 days.

This deplorable event has saddened many hearts, and the universal expressions of grief and regret heard on every hand, prove how sure a place this worthy young woman held in the affection and esteem of the entire community, who unite in deepest sympathy for the sorrow burdened family upon whom the blow falls with such crushing force.

Lenna J. Geddes was born Aug. 26, 1885.  She was the older child, and only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Geddes, of Fountain Green, Illinois.  During the happy carefree days spent under the family roof-tree, she was ever and always a kind and obedient daughter and brought much gladness and blessing to her father and mother and naught of worry or care.  She developed graces of character for which only praise was merited and received.

On Feb. 22, 1906, Lenna was united in marriage to Millard Blackledge.  The years this devoted couple have journeyed together have been years of mutual happiness and helpfulness.  Their home the abode of comfort and content.  To them were born three children, Helen, Glen and Leta, who survive with the bereft husband, the father, mother and one brother, Orville Geddes of Carthage, to mourn their irreparable loss.

Friends judging by Mrs. Blackledge's apparently perfect health, were surprised and saddened to know of conditions arising a few months ago which made surgical aid necessary.  Her removal to the hospital while the cause of anxiety and concern, it was confidently hoped would speedily result in her relief and recovery, but the surgeon's knife revealed alarming and unlooked for complications and the fatal outcome is all the more distressing because of its unexpectedness.

Lenna was converted in early girlhood during the pastorate of Rev. Henry Bloomer and united with the M. E. Church of Fountain Green.  She was one who lived at peace with God and her fellowmen, impressing those knowing her, with the very evident sincerity of her nature, her heart so filled with kindness and good will that there was left no room to harbor ill toward anyone.  She was very mirth loving and genial.  Her usual cheerfulness so manifest to the last that it was almost impossible to realize her so gravely ill.

Lenna was a true home-maker, looking thoroughly to the ways of her household, guiding and governing her children wisely and well.  She was an esteemed and valued member of the Royal Neighbors lodge.  As a dutiful daughter and affectionate sister, a faithful wife, a devoted mother, a helpful neighbor and friend she was dependable to the last degree, and with duty as her watchword so lived her allotted days as to make for herself a lasting place in the hearts of her family and friends, where her memory will be fondly and sacredly enshrined.

"Our dearest friends can we forget
When they have crossed death’s silent
    River?
They live within our memory yet,
And in our hearts will live forever."
                                   M. W. B.

The funeral was held at the Presbyterian church in Fountain Green, Friday at 10:30 a.m., Rev. Henry Bloomer

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