June Gosnell Blackard

Mrs. June Gosnell Blackard, 88, of Blytheville, passed from this life Monday, March 31, 2014, at her son's home in Milan, Tenn.

Born in Blytheville to Munsey Ward and Lucy Arledge Gosnell, she was a homemaker and a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church.

June was dedicated in the church as a baby and was active in various capacities throughout her life. She was a prayer warrior who loved the Lord and always made sure her son was in church and active in church activities. She was an avid bridge player and was a member of three bridge clubs for over 50 years. She was a member of the Blytheville Junior Auxiliary and was a longtime member of the Blytheville Country Club, where she met every Tuesday with her bridge club. June was an awesome cook who was known for her cakes, especially her chocolate cake with fudge icing and her banana nut cake with caramel icing.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Blackard.

June is survived by her son, Ward O'Keefe, and wife, Lisa, of Milan, Tenn.;

Her step-daughters, Carla Ferguson of Paragould and Padee Black of Grass Valley, Calif.;

Her grandchildren, Amanda Bradford, Ward O'Keefe Jr. and Evan McCoy;

Her step-grandchildren, Leigh Ann Wilson, Ashley Piediescalzi and Catherine Piediescalzi;

Four great-grandchildren; and

Her lifelong friend, Bobby Ann Caraway of Memphis.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Blytheville with Dr. Robin Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. The family requests any memorials be made to First United Methodist Church, 7th and Main Street, Blytheville, AR 72315. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.cobbfuneralhome.com