Frances Lambert Blalock, age 97, a beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away Sept. 12, 2007, at Columbiana Health and Rehabilitation.

One of nine children of Jim and Lula Lambert, Frances was born in Maylene. She was well-known for her church and civic activities in Shelby County and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Shelby County Farmers Federation, the Shelby County Democratic Executive Committee. She was also the 2001 Cattlewoman of the Year and received the 2003 Senior Leadership Award of the Alabama Farmers Federation.

In 2003, she also received special recognition for her 50 years of volunteer work for the Alabama chapter of the American Red Cross. Mrs. Blalock championed the building of the Fourmile volunteer fire department by calling on her many friends to bake cakes for fund-raising events, often collecting more than 100 confections for the events single-handedly.

Mrs. Blalock was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, most recently attending services at the Columbiana United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, former Shelby County Commissioner Hoyt A. Blalock, and her sisters Ethy Vernon, Roselee Argo, Lillian Vermell Holmes, Louise Peters and Mary Sharp.

Survivors include her devoted son John Hoyt Blalock and daughter-in-law Kathleen Gucfa of Chicago; grandson, William Kirk Blalock and his wife, Kristen; great-grandchildren Madeleine Ann and Makin Clark, all of Alexandria, Va.; her sister, Dovie Smith of Birmingham; and her many devoted nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, at Bolton-Letlow Chapel with the Rev. Pete Grice officiating. Burial will follow at Wilsonville City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Columbiana Health and Rehabilitation for its compassionate, good-humored care and wonderful Southern cooking that helped make Frances’ last years both comfortable and joyful. Donations may be made to the Fourmile Fire Department, P.O. Box 768, Wilsonville, AL 35186.

Bolton-Letlow Funeral Home is directing services