Valmena Blackman went home to be with the Lord on October 6th, 2016, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by family and caretakers. She was born February 1, 1957, in Detroit, MI to Leonard Able and Cora Smith.
Valmena moved to Mississippi at the age of five. She was one of the first children to be integrated at Hattiesburg Public Schools and later received an award for that by the NAACP. She graduated from Hattiesburg High School and went on to The University of Southern Mississippi where she received a BS and MS in Speech Pathology. She was a speech pathologist with the Hattiesburg Public School District for many years until her retirement. She taught at W. H. Jones Elementary and Woodley Elementary. Valmena was dearly loved by her students and fellow faculty members. She served on the Hattiesburg Public School Strategic Planning Committee, The W.H Jones PTA, and many professional educational organizations. She was also in the sisterhood of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Valmena loved life to the fullest and loved a good laugh with her friends. She was an accomplished pianist and vocalist. She served as church pianist at both Mt. Zion and Mt. Olive Church. She was a dedicated member at Shady Grove Baptist Church until her health did not permit her to attend.
Valmena is preceded in death by her mother; grandparents; one aunt and one uncle. She is survived by one son, Corey Blackman; one daughter-in-law, Tenisha Blackman; two grandchildren, Hanna and Haley Blackman; one sister, Malinda Owens; a nephew, Leon Owens; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.
Visitation will be Friday, October 14, 2014, at Shady Grove Baptist Church from 11-12 with the service to follow at noon. Interment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery.