Mary Pearl Carville"Girlie"Blakeney

Mary Pearl Carville Blakeney, only daughter of Louis A. and Pearl Slangerup Carville, was born May 14, 1918, in Carville. She entered into eternal rest Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at West Plains, Mo., at age 93. She was nicknamed "Girlie" at birth by her brothers. She grew up in Carville where her father, a community leader, farmed and owned the general store. Her recollections of growing up in the country, on the Mississippi River, experiencing floods, drought, the Great Depression and World War II, enriched all who knew her. In 1940, she was among the few women enrolled in LSU, where she earned a bachelor of science degree in bacteriology. She also was elected president of the Association of Women Students at LSU. On Nov. 11, 1940, she married Lt. Thomas O. Blakeney at St. Gabriel. Col. Blakeney served in the Army for 30 years, taking the family to many locations across the globe. Wherever they lived, Girlie made their house a home for their five children. In 1968, the Blakeneys returned to Baton Rouge, where Col. Blakeney served as professor of military science at LSU before retiring there. Girlie had a keen wit, intellect and varied interests. She was an avid reader and world traveler. She carried on the Carville family tradition of holding the annual Easter Party at her home in south Baton Rouge and dearly loved interacting with her family and friends. Family gatherings, the Art League, Stock Club, Audubon Society, card playing and bird watching were a few of her interests. Girlie found something to enjoy every day. Her witty observations brightened the day and made her a unique and endearing personality. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Mrs. David (Erline) Carville and Mrs. Lloyd (Ruth) Carville; five children, Tom Blakeney and wife Pat, Baton Rouge, Michael Blakeney and wife Anne, Richmond, Ky., Kathy Morrison and husband Travis, West Plains, Connor Blakeney and wife Jill, Chapel Hill, N.C., Dan Blakeney and wife Paula, McDonough, Ga.; eight grandchildren, Michelle Myers and husband Davin, Baton Rouge, Ruth Blakeney, Johnson City, Tenn., Katie Duerson and husband Clay, Lexington, Ky., Susannah Morrison Curtis and husband Michael, West Plains, Mary Theresa (Tracy) Morrison Gordon and husband Jeff, Minneapolis, Chris Morrison and wife Aimee, Kansas City, Mo., Annie Morrison Smith and husband Antwaun, Kansas City, John Morrison, Columbia, Mo., Zachary Blakeney, Dayton, Ohio, and Kathleen Blakeney, Atlanta; seven great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins, including her neighbors for many years, Dr. Randy and Susan Thayer, all of whom she loved and enjoyed greatly. Preceding her in death were her parents and brothers, Louis A. "Tot" Carville Jr. and wife Elsie St. Martin Carville, David Carville, Chester Carville and wife Lucille "Nippy" Normand Carville, Lloyd Carville and wife Ann Monget Carville. Visitation for Mary Pearl "Girlie" Carville Blakeney will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., Thursday, July 21, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Services will be held at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, Friday July 22, at 2 p.m. followed by interment at Roselawn Cemetery. Donations in memory of Mrs. Blakeney may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospitalin honor of Anna James Bourgeois, her great-great-niece.