Betty Martin Blakey

On July 31, 2025, Betty "Boo" Martin Blakey passed away in Tallahassee, Florida.

Boo was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on April 9,1956, to Elmond and Mary Louise Martin. After receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Kentucky in1978, she began her teaching career. Boo went on to garner a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Kentucky in 1983. In 1999, she authored a math workbook. In early 2002, she and then-boyfriend Millard Blakey started Wreck-Creations, LLC, a green residential remodeling company. Boo and Millard married on March 27, 2004. She retired from her thirty-year teaching vocation in July of 2008.

In September of 2011, Boo and Millard pulled up stakes in Lexington and started traveling full-time. In addition to spanning the United States, they visited twenty-three countries and one U.S. Commonwealth. Over fourteen years, they lived in three RVs, aboard one boat, the Mi Amor, and backpacked for a year. They made new friends everywhere they went, tasted amazing food and drinks, and fully embraced their global adventures. Not only devoted, trusted partners, Boo and Millard were each other's touchstones and "true home."

In her Five Wishes, Boo described herself as: loving wife, bonus mom to Leon and Archie, a hard worker, creative, and thoughtful. She expressed that she loved travel and adventure, and enjoyed decorating, painting, crafting, and organizing spaces.

Boo is survived by her husband Millard W. Blakey, bonus sons Leonardo "Leon" Blakey & Archinald "Archie" Blakey, her brothers Robert "Bob" Martin and partner Rhea Medina, David "Lynn" Martin and wife Martha Martin, and Jerry Martin and wife Lisa Martin, her mother-in-law Mary Ann Mathers (fondly called "Mother Dear"), and her heart-aunt, Rhett DeVane. She was preceded in death by her father Elmond Martin, her mother Mary Louise Martin, her brothers Mike Martin & Joe Martin, and her heart-grandparents, J.D. "Papa" DeVane and Theresa "Mema" DeVane.

A memorial will be held in Tallahassee, Florida, at Mary Ann Mathers and Millard W. Blakey's home, 928 Maplewood Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32303, Saturday August 23, 2025, 2 to 4 PM.

Boo's life will be celebrated at a memorial in Lexington, Kentucky, on September 7, 2025. Details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Citrus County Animal Services 4030 S. Airport Rd, Inverness FL 34550. If a donor would like their donation to go specifically to the new shelter, please note this on the check. Donations online can be made on their website using the "Donate Online" orange button: https://citrusbocc.com/departments/community_services/animal_services/donations.php

Donations may also be made to the Shriners Children's Lexington Hospital: https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/locations/lexington/about-us/ways-to-give