Janet McKay Blackmon

In Lillington, NC, on August 14, 1940, Mack and Ethel McKay welcomed their firstborn. To the first, they gave the name Janet, “God is gracious or a gift from God”. Much is in a name. God’s gift, JANET MCKAY BLACKMON, fashioned a tapestry of life woven with threads of faith that led to a life of service and leadership. As the eldest, leading often seems inherent. Whether self-appointed or chosen, Janet never hesitated to decisively command control. As a child, Janet’s dedication to evolving skills that inﬂuence action began at home with her younger siblings Randolph and Helen. With her siblings, she learned not only to be a leader that can persuade, but one that can also accept resistance. Resistance builds resilience, which Janet embraced and embodied. It was resilience, strong intellect, and faith that facilitated Janet’s graduation as salutatorian from Shawtown High School in 1957, ushering in a path to Johnson C. Smith University. In true Janet fashion, she embraced every opportunity that college had to offer. She pledged Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. sorority, was named “Miss Lampadas” by the Omega Psi Phi, Inc. fraternity and still found time to share her vocal talents as a member of the Touring Choir. And at the culmination of her undergraduate career, in 1961 she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. What better way to lead than to cultivate tomorrow’s leaders? And so, began a 54-year journey serving countless young people and families in the City of Baltimore as teacher, librarian, mentor, mother (as needed) and friend. She was affectionately teased as the teacher of the entire east side of Baltimore. The first stop on Janet’s footpath was Samuel Chase Elementary School #135. Subsequent sites on the journey included Collington Square Elementary School (ES) where she not only taught the students, but also coached the student teachers, chaired the school improvement committee, and served as the school treasurer. 30 years of impact. Janet not only expected excellence from her students but required it of herself. Janet continued her education and earned a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education from Morgan State University in 1972. This opened doors to serve as an adjunct faculty member at Catonsville Community College in their Upward Bound program. Always seeking to inﬂuence change, Janet did not let Collington Square ES be her last stop. She also graced the halls of Belmont ES and finally retired from Bay Brook Elementary Middle School as their Librarian. Teacher. Leader. Giver. Janet was bestowed by God the gift of being a giver. She often exemplified this in her role as a teacher. For her, being a teacher was not just a profession, it was a calling. Janet would keep healthy snacks in her desk for children that came to school hungry, not just for her students, but for any child. It was a common occurrence for parents that were once her students to request that their children be assigned to “Mrs. Blackmon’s class”. There, they knew their child would be cared for, and that excellence, whatever that meant for any individual student, would be not only expected, but nurtured in him or her. Janet birthed two children but raised many. Clearly, one of Janet’s passions lay in the provision of opportunity through education, but, undoubtedly, her deepest passion lay in her love of God and family. In 1962, her cousin John McKay introduced Janet to Franklin Curtis Blackmon and in 1963, they were wed in Lillington, NC. Their greatest accomplishments: Franklin Curtis Blackmon, Jr., born in 1973 and Janell Victoria Blackmon (Pryor) born in 1982. Curtis and Janet shared a love not only for one another, but also for the Lord. As an outpouring of this love and faith, the two, once members of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church (East Preston Street), eventually became Pastor and First Lady of Zion Hill Baptist Church. In 1980, Curtis and Janet founded and organized New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church where Janet remained a member until her passing. Janet could often be found during the service in Sunday’s best, always modeling a stunning church hat. Janet lived a life of purpose. Even after losing her beloved Curtis in 1986, Janet continued her service for the Lord interlacing her passion for education with her faith. Janet created and established the Tutorial Program and Children’s Ministry at New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, assisted with Vacation Bible School, served as President of the Baltimore Chapter of the Association of Minister Wives and Minister Widows, was an active member of the National Baptist Convention and served as Director of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education Choir for the State of Maryland. And as hard as Janet worked, Janet played. Family gatherings always had a game courtesy of Janet, ushering in much laughter as she shared her rules of play, which may or may not have matched the printed document. Janet enjoyed traveling, writing poetry, debating (even without a formal debate platform) and of course, a good book. As sunset neared for Janet, her great niece Shalicia Jenkins Rich (“Zeebee”), provided special care for her to which all are especially grateful. Janet was preceded in death by her parents Mack and Ethel McKay Jr., husband Rev. Dr. Franklin Curtis Blackmon Sr., son Franklin Curtis Blackmon, Jr. and godson George A. Vaden. She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter Janell Blackmon Pryor and husband Ernest Pryor and their son Ernest Adam Pryor; daughter-in-law Christine H. Blackmon and husband Mark Leverett, and Christine’s son Franklin Curtis Blackmon III, and daughter Sophia Christine Blackmon who will treasure the memories of their mother and grandmother forever; her brother Edward Randolph McKay Sr. and his wife Peggy and her sister Helen McKay Wright who will continue to celebrate her life. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and friends, all held a special place in her heart.

Tributes

Janet McKay Blackmon

August 14, 1940 - August 13, 2022