Robert Roosevelt Blackley

Robert Roosevelt Blackley

March 28, 1930 – July 19, 2021

ZEBULON - Robert Roosevelt Blackley, 91, of the Hopkins Community, passed away peacefully at home on July 19, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. After a courageous fight with liver cancer, he is now at peace.

Robert was born in Wake County on March 28, 1930 to the late Theodore Roosevelt Blackley and Mattie Lee Hicks Blackley. He graduated from Wakelon High School, class of 1949, where he was voted Most Studious - Male. He was drafted in 1951 in the US Marine Corp and trained at Parris Island, SC, before being stationed at Quantico, VA. He reached the rank of Sergeant and was responsible for the mailroom on base until his honorable discharge on October 14, 1953.

While in the USMC, he married his high school sweetheart, Bettie Lou Bunn, in a military wedding at Hopkins Chapel Baptist Church on June 29, 1952.  After his discharge, they returned to Hopkins to live and raise their family. After farming, Robert worked at the NC Department of Transportation as a surveyor. He then worked for Raleigh & Rosalyn Alford as a bookkeeper. He retired after 31 years as a Commercial Property Underwriting Manager of the Southeastern Division with Unigard Insurance.

Robert was a Mason in White Stone Masonic Lodge #155, Zebulon, NC, for over 60 years. He also served the community as a board member of the Hopkins Fire Department and helped coordinate Hopkins Firemen’s Day for 27 years. He delivered Meals on Wheels for many years and volunteered in the Community in Schools Program at Zebulon Middle School. He was a member of Zebulon Baptist Church and previously a member of Hopkins Chapel Baptist Church where he served in many capacities.

Robert loved spending time with his family, fishing, dancing, telling jokes, attending his grandson’s sports activities, and singing. He especially loved to sing many George Jones’ songs. He was a beloved Christian husband, father, gran, great gran, brother, and friend to everyone he met.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Bettie Lou Bunn Blackley. Also surviving are his daughters, Sherrie Hopkins (Craig),  Denise Loucks (Larry), beloved grandson Tyler Hopkins (Kenzie), two great grandchildren Fields and Henley Hopkins.  Also survived by his brothers, Charles Blackley (Joyce), Ernest Lee Blackley (Joyce), Douglas Eugene Blackley (Linda), sister, Lucy Baker (Ned), and sister-in-law, Jean Blackley, and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother – Carlton Blackley and sister – Mozelle Clark.

The family would like to thank Transitions Lifecare Hospice, extended family and friends, for all their care and support during this difficult journey. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 22, 2021 from 1:15-2:45 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life at 3 pm, Zebulon Baptist Church, Zebulon. Interment will follow at Hopkins Chapel Baptist Church, Zebulon.

Flowers are welcomed or contributions may be made to: Zebulon Baptist Church – Faith Journey or the Masonic Children’s Home of Oxford, NC.  Arrangements by Strickland Funeral Home, Louisburg, NC, stricklandfuneralhome.net.

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