Mrs. Lela Joice Blackwell Rich Stanley, age 83, of Tunnel Hill, Georgia, departed this life Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at the home of her granddaughter. She was born January 7, 1940 in Dalton, GA, a daughter of the late William and Ethel Boyd Blackwell. She was also preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children Raymond Rich, her second husband John Frank Stanley, daughter Anita Bennett, brothers, JC Blackwell, Lamar Blackwell, Buck Blackwell, Edward Tott Blackwell, Sammy Blackwell, sisters, Susie Cooper, Mary Lankford.

She is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, Dale and Susie Rich, Roger Rich of Tunnel Hill, GA; daughters and sons-in-law, Carla and Roy Gentry of Dalton, GA, Renee and Ben Bennett of Tunnel Hill, GA, Mike Bennett of Resaca, GA; brother, Doyle Blackwell of Dalton, GA; sisters, Mildred Parker of Dalton, GA, Doris Brown of Eton, GA; twelve grandchildren, twenty four great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

Service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Lela Joice Blackwell Rich Stanley will be held Friday May 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. from the Salem Baptist Church with Reverend Darey Kittle officiating. Interment will follow in the Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Friday.

Arrangements by Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, Georgia, 30721, 706.226.4002www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org and www.ogr.org