Mary "Jody" Blalock

1933 - 2026

MARY JORETTA "JODY" (STARR) BLALOCK

October 7, 1933 – February 20, 2026

Jody was a nurturer her entire life. Born the 10th of 11 children to Alonzo Bell Starr and Mattie Bell Lillard Starr in Altus, OK, Jody's favorite things in life were her family and young children. Jody moved with her parents and half of her siblings to Bakersfield, CA, in 1944.

Jody met her husband, Clarence Eugene "Doc" Blalock, at church when she was 16 and he was 20. Jody and Doc were married in 1951. Cheryl Ann was born while Doc was deployed in Korea. After Doc was discharged from the Air Force, they moved to Fresno, where Janice Elaine (Jan) was born. Jody was famous for her angel food and devil's food cakes!

Jody and family moved to Southern California in 1959. They settled in Brea, where Paul Kevin was born, then moved to their long-time home in Villa Park.

Jody was always supportive of her children: helping in their classrooms, hosting neighborhood gatherings in the backyard, attending singing concerts, dance concerts, and taking her son on day trips to Knott's Berry Farm and San Diego. Jody and Cheryl sang together in the church choir, and Jody danced with Jan in the living room to the latest pop songs!

Jody was very close to her sister, Cora (Corky). They were the best of friends until Corky passed away in 2020.

Jody and Doc divorced in 1997. Jody moved to Santa Rosa to be near Jan, also newly divorced and raising Stephanie Nicole Allaire and Lauren Michelle Allaire. Jody was very proud to now be independent. She found her ultimate role as grandma (or "G-Ma", as Steph and Lauren called her), caring for her granddaughters while Jan worked, picking up the girls from school, taking them to dance practice, attending their performances, etc. Jan married Jeremy Gorman in 2004, and Jody bonded with his daughter, Blair Gorman. Son Paul Kevin lives in WA with his two sons, Nathan Emmanuel and James Kevin. They saw each other often and were very close. Jody always made her children and grandchildren feel important and loved, and they intensely loved her. Her love of her independence, her family, and wonderful caretakers kept her going the last several years of her life. She is forever in our hearts, and we miss her dearly.

Jody is survived by Cheryl Blalock and Randy Schlesinger, daughter and son-in-law, San Mateo, CA; Janice Blalock and Jeremy Gorman, daughter and son-in-law, Santa Rosa, CA; Paul Blalock, son, Puyallup, WA; Stephanie Allaire and Robert Seaver, granddaughter and partner, Los Angeles, CA; Lauren Allaire and Keegan de la Cruz, granddaughter and husband, Las Vegas, NV; Blair Gorman Diaz and Budd Diaz, step granddaughter and husband, Los Angeles, CA; Nathan Blalock, grandson, Puyallup, WA; James "Jimmy" Blalock, grandson, Puyallup, WA.

A memorial service will be held April 4 at 3 pm at Daniels Chapel of the Roses in Santa Rosa, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Jody's name to either Redwood Empire Food Bank or Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital.

www.bakersfield.com/obits