Anna Mae Blackstock passed away at her home surrounded by family on December 17, 2022 at the age of 99.
Anna Mae was born May 10, 1923 to the late William Charles and Anna Elizabeth Diefenbach nee Kohring. Anna Mae united in marriage to J.B. Blackstock on July 5, 1942 at Lafayette Park Baptist Church and two children were born Gary and Weymouth. They were married for 49 years before J.B. went to be with the Lord.
Anna Mae was a member of Warrenton Baptist Church for 59 years, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for 69 years and a volunteer with AGAPE Ministries for 26 years. She retired on her 99th birthday. Her greatest joy was her love of God, her husband, children, and their spouses, grandsons and their spouses and her great-grandchildren, family and friends. Anna Mae met the love of her life while working at the Kroger Bakery. When World War II broke out, she went to work at the Small Arms Plant because she would make more money. After getting married, she continued working while J.B. was stationed at Ft. Benning, GA. She lived with his parents. This is where she learned to cook, crochet, sew and design clothes.
After J.B. was discharged – due to the accident that cost him his left leg – they both worked in different war plants across the United States. By 1947 they decided to move to a farm in Huzzah (Crawford County) where they lived for a year. By this time J.B. had recovered enough, they moved to St. Louis. Shortly after this move, Anna Mae became a stay at home mom. She enjoyed this life until 1964, when the family moved to the farm north of Jonesburg, where she resided until her death. Anna Mae started working at age 10 and did not stop until her lawn mower broke down in August this year. Her love of work, family and the farm is what kept her strong.
Anna Mae is survived by daughter, Weymouth Brown of Warrenton; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Blackstock of Warrenton; three grandsons, Richard (Elizabeth) Blackstock, Bob (Christa) Brown, T.J. (Amy) Brown; 11 great-grandchildren, Austin, Ryan, Megan, Wyatt, Jolene Blackstock; J.R., Mya, Nathan, Paige, Jack and Cash Brown; brother, Frank Diefenbach of Riverside, Calif.; sister-in-law, Judy Diefenbach of St. Louis; bonus grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
She is preceded in death by parents, William Charles and Anna Elizabeth Diefenbach; husband, J.B. Blackstock; son, Gary Blackstock; son-in-law, Tom Brown; siblings, William Diefenbach, Jr., Pauline Navarro, Delores Sweet, Eugene Diefenbach, Elsie Diefenbach, James Diefenbach and Robert Diefenbach; and sister-in-law, Pauline Mitchell.
Visitation is scheduled for Dec. 21 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at Pitman Funeral Home in Jonesburg. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Jonesburg City Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to AGAPE Ministries, Shriners Children Hospital or donor's choice in care of Pitman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 126 Warrenton, MO 63383.
