Grace E. Bone Blaylock

Grace Ellen Bone Blaylock, age 84, of Charleston, MO, died Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the Bertrand Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bertrand, MO.

Born August 12, 1941, at Wolf Island, MO, to the late Everett Bone, Sr. and Patty Mae Glass Bone, Grace grew up in a farming family in Mississippi County. Grace was a graduate of Charleston High School where she was known as the ‘Shorthand Wiz” and was a member of the High School Choir.

Grace was an avid gardener, known for her beautiful yard and flowers. She was the proud winner the Molly French Garden Club yard awards on multiple occasions. One of the highlights of her life was working each year for the Charleston Chamber of Commerce during the annual Dogwood Azalea Festival, helping visitors know about our beautiful town and making sure people felt welcome.

Grace loved to sit on the porch in her rocker and wave as she people watched. She was known for her fried chicken dinners on Sunday and a love for Elvis Music, red lipstick and her beautiful white hair. Her family was so important to her, especially her grandchildren.

Grace was employed with the Enterprice-Courier Newspaper in Charleston for many years and later in the Mississippi County Collector’s office for 24 years until her retirement. Grace was a member of the First Baptist Church of Charleston.

On October 26, 1975, she married Reelious Henry Blaylock, who preceded her in death December 27, 1990.

Surviving is her son, Greg (Melissa) Davis of Charleston; stepson, Chris (Patty) Blaylock of Cape Girardeau; her grandchildren, Courtney Davis, Madeline (Josh) Golightly, Sydney (Jeremiah) Bain; her great grandchildren, Tyson, Jaelynn, Landon, Jersie, Liam and Eleanor; her sisters, Mary Bone and Linda Vogt; as well as a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. Also surviving is her special caregiver, Loretta Williams, who helped make it possible for Grace to remain in her own home.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Everett Bone, Jr., Wilbur Dean “Pete” Bone and James Harold “Bud” Bone.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. Rev. Gerald Collier will officiate.

Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Pallbearers will be Tyson Williams, Landon Myer, Josh Golightly, Jeremiah Bain, Roger Byford and Todd Palmer.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com

Memorial contributions may be made to the Charleston Nutrition Center, 205 West Commercial Street, Charleston, MO 63834