Frances Jacqueline Holmes Blackard

Jackie (also known as Honey) died Sunday December 6, 2015 at her residence in Baton Rouge at the age of 92. She was born in Valliant, Oklahoma July 16, 1923 and was the middle of three sisters. Jackie was attending Oklahoma State in 1942 but moved to Baton Rouge to marry the love of her life Otis Derrel Blackard before he left for World War II. Jackie stayed in Baton Rouge, attended LSU, Spencer Business College and worked at Kidd's Paint Store where she developed her love for painting. She became an accomplished artist painting on both canvas and fine china. She also worked at Latil's Stationery but retired from the EBRP School system as the Lanier Elementary administrative assistant. A long time dedicated member of First United Methodist Church, Jackie was instrumental in starting a Day Camp program at Camp Istrouma and influential in getting the Early Learning Center established. She was always involved in church and civic duties, PTA, Cub Scouts and led a special Girl Scout troop for years. If you needed something done, Jackie could always somehow make it happen. She was preceded in death by parents Joe and Lessie Holmes, grandson Eric Blackard, sisters Mildred and Betty and by her beloved husband, Otis Blackard, who died Nov. 17, 2015. After 73 years of marriage, she decided two-and-a-half weeks apart from her Otis was more than enough. Survived by children Don Blackard, Susan Albin and husband Ken, Terry Blackard and wife Jacquie; grandchildren Jennifer Cabrera and husband Jonathan, Tyler Blackard and wife Andrea, Brett Blackard, Stella Miller and husband Matthew, Alex Albin and Drew Albin; great grandchildren Anna Cabrera, Evan Cabrera, Allie Cabrera, Abby Cabrera, Brayden Blackard, Kalli Blackard, Cade Blackard, Mason Blackard, Ruby Blackard and countless much loved nieces and nephews, that were her other children. Visitation will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd, Friday from 5:00pm until 8:00pm. Visitation will resume Saturday at First United Methodist Church in the McKenzie Library from 10:00am until the religious service at 11:00am in the Aldrich Chapel. Interment will be Monday, December 14, 2015 at the Valliant Cemetery in Valliant, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, Hospice of Baton Rouge or the Mattie Terry Library of Valliant, Oklahoma.