Maude Virginia Ray Blackerby, age 94, of Sterrett passed away Friday, Dec. 7. 2007, while residing at St. Martin’s-in-the-Pines.

She was a member of the Beulah Baptist Church in Sterrett. She was a graduate of Shelby County High School and the University of Montevallo. She was retired from the Shelby County Schools system after 36 years of service.

The family wishes to acknowledge the tender loving care and support of the Evergreen Skilled Nursing Staff at St. Martin’s and New Beacon Hospice (Pauline, Stuart and Judy), Katie Smith, Chaplin at St. Martin’s and Dr. Harold Simon.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Simon Blackerby.

She is survived by her two children: Sara (Pete) Gay and Tony Blackerby, both of Sterrett; grandchildren, Missy (Don) Fitts of Gardendale, Ricky (Penny) Gay of Chelsea, Ron (Bonnie) Gay of Sylvania, Ga., and Mike (Christy) Gay of Center Point; 12 grand-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren; one sister, Estelle Sumners of Meadowbrook; two sisters-in-law, Hazel Ray of Meadowbrook and Beth Ray of Prattville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, at Kilgroe Funeral Home in Leeds with the Rev. Bob Prater, Katie Smith and Stuart Collier officiating. Burial followed at Forest Crest Cemetery. The family received friends Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, from 5-8 p.m. at Kilgroe Funeral Home in Leeds.

Kilgroe Funeral Home (Leeds) directed