Mary Ann Ikard Blakemore, 87, of Big Cove, died Monday, May 11 following a lengthy illness. She was born March 23, 1939, to Edd H. and Grace Drake Ikard of Big Cove. She was proud of her heritage as the granddaughter of Annie Miller Drake and James King Drake, for whom King Drake Road in Brownsboro is named.

Mrs. Blakemore was a graduate of Madison County High School in Gurley, a homemaker, and a lifelong member of Big Cove Presbyterian Church, where she was active in the United Presbyterian Women.

In 1959, she met her future husband, Thomas D. Blakemore, at a church young people’s gathering near Guntersville. As fate would have it, he picked up a hitchhiker on U.S. 431 who had missed his ride to the gathering. The hitchhiker was James Ikard, her brother, who invited him to stay for the food and fellowship. It was love at first sight. The couple wed March 19, 1960, and lived in Big Cove until they moved to Huntsville in 1966. In the mid-1990s, following her husband’s retirement from the Huntsville Police Department, they returned to Big Cove.

Mrs. Blakemore was fond of gardening, loved peonies, and was known for her delicious cheese straws and pecan and chess pies. She also loved reminiscing about the history of and life in Big Cove with historian, the late William Sibley, and lifelong friend, the late Ann Miller Sublett.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Betty Ikard Finley; and her brother, James Ikard. Survivors are her husband; a son, Thomas E. Blakemore of Brownsboro; nephews, Terry Finley, Gary Finley and Kirk Finley, all of Brownsboro; great-nephews; a great-niece; and dear friends Kathleen and Brady Ratliff.

A graveside service will be Thursday, May 14 at noon at Drake Cemetery on King Drake Road. Pallbearers will be her son and nephews, and Curtis Wood and Barry Sublett.

Berryhill Funeral Home assisted the family.