Lee Vester Blount, Jr.

Born Lee Vester Blount, Jr. on Saturday, August 14, 1926, to the parentage of Lee Vester Blount, Sr. and Bertha Wilkerson, in Greenville, Mississippi. He answered God’s call for his heavenly home on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Byrd Memorial Hospital, Leesville, LA, surrounded by his family.

(This was written by Mr. LV Blount, Jr.) In 1949, Mr. Blount graduated from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama and lived in Detroit, MI with his mom, Bertha Wilkerson. He worked in the industry field. He came to Leesville to visit his father, Reverend LV Blount, pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church. He continued his education at UCLA and McNeese obtaining a Master’s degree in administration and Master’s +30. He was persuaded to stay and work for one year teaching industrial arts at the Beauregard Parish Training School in DeRidder, on the high school level during the day and the GI School for eligible veterans in Leesville in the evening. One year turned into 13 years. In 1962, he became the first principal of Beauregard Training School, Elementary level, where black 2nd and 3rd graders from the DeRidder area attended. In 1950, Louis Vander Bious was recruited by Mr. Cornelius King, one of her mentors from Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN. He introduced the two and in 1951, they were married and to this union, two children were born. 1970 was the year when integration occurred, Carver Elementary began to educate ALL 2nd and 3rd graders from the DeRidder area. He was the first principal at Carver and continued to be the principal for 32 years. He retired in 1995, haven given 45 years of service.

He became a part of the Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church, serving faithfully under the late Pastor Woodrow W. Batties, Pastor Elliott W. Ford and the present leadership, Dr. Keith W. Stevenson. He was an ordained deacon and a trustee, of which he remained until his demise.

Deacon Blount was a self-employed, licensed electrician and carpenter for over 60 years and owner of Blount Rentals.

His loved ones who will carry his memories in their hearts are, his devoted daughter, Lynn V. Blount-Jones, DeRidder, LA; his self-adopted son, William C. Dillard, Atlanta, GA; his grandchildren, Shane Blount, San Francisco, CA, Lynzee (Andre) McDermoth, Rosharon, TX, Sean Blount, DeRidder, LA, Shawnece Jones, Jasper, TX, Shawn Jones, Jr., Thornton, CO; his great-grandson, Cody Coleman, Lincoln, NB; his brother, Gordon (Sonja) Blount, Crowley, LA; his nieces Pam Reed, Cynthia Reed, Los Angelas, CA and Joan (Author) Franklin, Nashville TN, Nakelsha Blount, Crowley, LA; other family, a host of friends and loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Louis Vander Bious Blount and his son Lee Vester Blount, III (Sonny).

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and continue at 9:00 AM on Saturday, February 24, 2024 until the time of service at 11:00 AM at Star of Bethlehem Church in DeRidder, LA. Pastor Keith W. Stevenson will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Beauregard Cemetery in DeRidder, LA.