Tupelo, MS - Naomi Ruth Blackshear, 78, died Saturday, December 7, 2013 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS after brief illness. A native of Jonesboro, Ark., she was born June 26, 1935 to George Ambrose and Edna Mattie Bell Powell. A 1953 graduate of Caraway High School, she went on to hold employment in the banking business for nine years and retired from the Craighead County Tax Assessor's Office as Deputy Clerk after 24 years. She was a devoted member of Central Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School. Survivors include her husband, Leon Blackshear of Tupelo, Miss; one granddaughter, Amy Blackshear Hughes (Matt) of Tupelo; one grandson, Chad T. Blackshear of Jackson; and numerous extended family members. Graveside Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at Jonesboro Memorial Park under the direction of Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home in Jonesboro. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.