Blanche Leona Johnson Baskett, 91, of Mt. Vernon died 1:19 p.m. June 18, 2006, at Salem Township Hospital in Salem.

She was born Oct. 5, 1914, in Opdyke to Starkey (Fonzo) and Sophia (Atchison) Boyle.

She first married Herbert Edward Johnson Sept. 30, 1933; he preceded her in death Dec. 18, 1972.

She later married Francis Baskett Aug. 27, 1977; he preceded her in death Aug. 14, 1987.

She was raised and schooled in Bonnie. She was of the Baptist faith and was a homemaker.

Survivors include two daughters, Zenoba and husband Charles R. Monroe of Salem and Euvera Sumner of Vero Beach, Fla.; five grandchildren, Wade Sumner and wife Anna of Carey, N.C., Clay Monroe and wife Vickie of Salem, Zenoba Joy Monroe-Harris and husband Ken of Tampa, Fla., Kyle Monroe and fiancée Andrea Winchester of Salem and Dax Monroe and fiancee Jackie West of Salem; eight great-grandchildren, Johnathan Sumner, Amber Monroe, Joshua Monroe, Zenoba Noel Harris, Caleb Harris, Blair Monroe, Kylie Monore and Jordan Rhinehart; a niece, Gladys Shields of Mt. Vernon; and two nephews, Bill Webber and wife Millie of Pickneyville and Harold Beaty and wife Doris of Arcola.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; sisters Bertha Webber, Florence Beaty and Evalou Harvill; three infant sisters; a grandson, Robbie Wayne “R.W.” Monroe; and a great-granddaughter, Krista Sumner.

Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Hams Grove Cemetery, with Kurt Jenson officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until the service time at the cemetery. Newell Funeral Home of Mt. Vernon is in charge of services, where you may call 246-0100 for further information. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society and will be received at Newell Funeral Home or at the cemetery the day of the service. You may visit on-line at www.newellfuneralhome.com for on-line obituary and on-line condolences.

Source: Register-News, Mt Vernon IL
Date: June 21, 2006
Submitted by: Robert W. Loman