Levester Blakely

Ms. Levester Warren Blakely, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at St. Michael Hospital in Texarkana, Texas. She was born on June 25, 1942, by a midwife in Rosston, Arkansas, to Bernice Warren and Stella Mae Martin Warren.

Ms. Levester was known for her impeccable style and took great pride in her appearance, always dressed to the nines with carefully styled hair and makeup. She worked at the Gummery Factory in Prescott and was a devoted member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Willisville under Rev. Edward Smith, Sr.

Levester had a passion for the blues, enjoyed attending basketball games, dancing, cooking, and watching TV in her free time. Her warmth and joy touched the lives of everyone who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Vester Gulley and Macie Noble; her husband, Lee Vester “Putsy” Blakely and her daughter, Jeannette Blakely Fort (October 5, 2018).

Her memories will linger in the hearts of her children Jenny (Fredrick) Henry of Rosston, AR and Terry (Debbie) Blakely of Hope, AR; a grandson she raised as her son, Tavoris (Tia) Blakely of Rosston, AR; her son-in-law, Pastor John A. Fort; eight grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Margie (Albert) Waller of Waterloo, AR. She also leaves niece, nephews, cousins, a special cousin/friend Pam Baker, special friends, Chester Paden and Deidra her post-office friend.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM, followed by a family hour from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM all at Oak Grove Baptist Church. A celebration of Ms. Levester’s life will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Rosston, Arkansas. Her grandson, Superintendent Recarto King, will deliver the eulogy. Interment will be at New Salem Cemetery in Rosston, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be Tavoris Blakely, Todd Frazier, Marcus Blakely, Artis Gulley, Jr., Rodney Haynie, Julis Gulley. Roger Paden, Ollie Dixon, Leroy Hankerson, Phillip Heard, Antwan Mitchell and Jimmy Hankerson will serve as honorary pallbearers.