Mollie Jane Welborn Blackledge, 88 of Laurel passed away Thursday, December 22, 2022, at Picayune Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Picayune, Mississippi. She was born Thursday, May 24, 1934, in Laurel, Mississippi.

She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Business Education and a Master's in gifted education. She retired from teaching at the age of 72, having taught at Pineville, Stringer, USM, and Southeastern Baptist College. Mollie loved teaching and loved her students even more. She was a devoted mother to her two children. She loved reading and living in the country.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, from 9:30AM until 11:00AM at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel, MS. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at 11:00AM at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel with burial to follow in Union Line Cemetery in Soso, Mississippi.

Bro. Joey Harris will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel is in charge of arrangements. 601-649-3342.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton "Pete" Blackledge; father, Almond Edison Welborn; mother, Ruby Gilbert Welborn; brother, Herman Welborn; sister-in-law, Martha Doris Welborn.

Survivors include her son, Joel Blackledge (Shelly) of Gulfport, MS; daughter, Jane Brockway (David); grandchildren, Benjamin Brockway, Mollie Brockway and Joelly Blackledge; brother, Joe Welborn (Barbara), and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Benjamin Brockway, David Fiveash, Mel Fiveash, Chris Blackledge, Douglas Gray, and David Welborn.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, the Alzheimer's Association, or Southeastern Baptist College.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapellaurel.com