Mrs. Ronda Lee LeJeune Blackmon

Ronda Lee LeJeune Blackmon, 49, of Tatum left this earth on November 7, 2015 after a valiant battle with breast cancer and complications with leukemia. She was the owner of Tiny Tails Dog Grooming and Poodle Patch Kennel in Tatum and was formerly an instructor of dog grooming at Kilgore College. Ronda had a great love of people, all kinds of animals, and birds. She wanted to get well again so she could return to grooming and seeing "her boys and girls". She confessed that she remembered most people first by their association as "Molly's mom, Charlie's dad, etc." and later could recall the owner's name. Ronda bred miniature, toy, and standard poodles as well as poodle hybrids, such as yorkiepoos and snoodles. If her husband, Bobby, would have allowed, she would have kept every dog that was born. Consequently, she was very protective of where and to whom her puppies would go to live. Her dogs were shipped all over the United States, and she loved receiving pictures and notes from their new owners. They were still "her children" even when it had been 10 or 12 years since going to the new owners. Several of her dogs earned Champions and Prominent Champions awards. Ronda had an infectious laugh that all who knew her will cherish forever. Ronda will be missed by the entire Tatum community. When asked if she was born in Tatum, she would reply, "No, but I got here just as soon as I could!" She was a member of First Baptist Church of Tatum and loved her home church family. She especially enjoyed attending Tatum Community-Wide Worship Service, in which churches in Tatum have a joint worship service one Sunday night a month and fellowship meal afterwards. She was a frequent contributor and worker for Tatum Interchurch Ministries Samaritan House. Ronda was born on October 5, 1966 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Dudley Gerald, Peter, and Beadie Jumonville, and Lillian and Emile LeJeune. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 31 years, Bobby Blackmon; parents, Donny and Judy LeJeune of Prairieville, LA.; sisters, Glenna (Timmy) Mitchell of Erath, LA. and Jennifer Dockery of Prairieville, LA.; nieces, Danette Cook, Marinda Dockery, Marissa Mitchell and Ana Mitchell; nephews, William Mark (Risa) Stowe, Alex Mitchell and Jonathon Dockery; grand-nieces, Raylee and Karlee Dockery, and brother in law William Stowe. Her uncle Ronnie and aunt Tish Gerald were special to her. Ronda is also survived by many special friends whom she considered "family" - her "other moms", Dot, Kay, Gail, and Joy; sisters, Vickie, Bettie, Lisa, B.J., and Tammy; cousins, Sheryl and Carson; aunts, Phyllis, Pat, and Judy; nephews, Garrett and Preston; and others too numerous to list. She truly embraced the belief that "family" doesn't just mean blood relatives, but those closest to your heart, who love and accept you just as you are and always want and will do the very best for you. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. Funeral services for Mrs. Blackmon will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, November 11 at First Baptist Church of Tatum with Rev. Trey Roberson, Rev. Gary Chambers, and Dr. Phil Cory officiating. Interment will follow at Tatum Cemetery under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. Pallbearers are Mark Stowe, Rodney Phillips, Buck Crawford, Elton Brock, Eddie Gomez, Ray Vincent, Leon Jones, Charles Martin, David Watson and Frank Brazeal. Ronda asked one mom-friend to write a note expressing her and Bobby's appreciation of her Pastor, church members, other local Pastors, friends, and the entire Tatum community who supported her and Bobby during the illness. With tears in her eyes, she said, "I'm not good at writing all of that." However, she didn't have to write about how much she loved and appreciated her friends - we know by her laughs and hugs that will live in our memories and hearts. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mrs. Ronda Lee LeJeune Blackmon

October 5, 1966 - November 7, 2015