Donna K. Blackorby

Edwardsville, Illinois: Donna K. Blackorby, 72, formerly of Thebes, Illinois, passed away at 8:05am on Sunday, January 22, 2017, at her residence. She was born on August 19, 1944, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the daughter of the late Ivan and Esther (Tucker) Weaver. She married Harold Blackorby, Jr. on March 6, 1963, in Cottage Hills, Illinois and he survives. Other survivors include four children: Denise Gray and her husband Steven of Smithton, Illinois; Deena Cates and her husband Jerry of Edwardsville; Harold Blackorby III of St. Louis, Missouri; Lois Eagleson and her husband James; and her three beloved grandchildren: Cody Cates, Christiana Gray, and Colin Gray. Donna was employed as a laboratory technician beginning at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Alton, Illinois and then for Quest Diagnostics in St. Louis for 21 years. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church in St. Charles, Missouri where she was very active. Donna and her husband served on the mission field to Newfoundland, Canada and Alaska. In celebration of her life, visitation will be from 4pm to 8pm on Thursday, January 26, 2017, at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River. Funeral services will be held at 10am on Friday, January 27, 2017, at the funeral home. Rev. Kevin Kolb will officiate. Burial will follow at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Mission House of Faith Baptist Church in Freeburg, Illinois.