Barry Blakeley

Funeral services for Barry Blakeley, 95, Grand Saline, were scheduled for 11:00 AM, Tuesday, June 14 at Sand Flat Baptist Church with Bro. Ed Ridge and Bro. Dennis Morris officiating. Visitation will be from 6-8 PM, Monday night at Hilliard Funeral Home, Van. Burial will be in Sand Flat Cemetery.
Mr. Blakeley passed away on June 11, 2016 in Quitman.
Barry Neiman Blakeley was born September 20, 1920 in Grand Saline, TX to the late Wayne Macon Blakeley and Myrtie Melissa Darnell Blakeley. Early on he worked in the meat market of a grocery store before beginning his career with the postal service. He did office work and rural delivery for the postal service. He joined Sand Flat Baptist Church as a teenager and was a faithful and very active member for 80 years. Barry taught Sunday School for 70 years, served at treasurer for 40 years, sang in a quartet and played his harmonica. He was also a cattle rancher, buying a four wheeler at the age of 80 to check on his herd. Most of all, he loved his family and all people in general. He loved to talk and was very gifted in recalling and telling funny stories. He was preceded in death his brother, Sam Blakeley.
Survivors include his wife of 74 years, Mavis Blakeley of Grand Saline; one daughter, Phyllis Blakeley of Grand Saline; three granddaughters, Elizabeth Armstrong of Tyler, Stacy Caldwell and husband, James of Melissa and Donna Conley of Grand Saline; five great-grandchildren, Craig Conley and wife, Katy, Kenny Conley, Kelly Wayne Conley, Blakeley Caldwell and Collin Caldwell.
Pallbearers were James Caldwell, Craig Conley, Kenny Conley, Kelly Wayne Conley, Collin Caldwell and Jimmy Pettiet.