Private Lester Fonde Blalock was born on March 13, 1910 in Copper Hill, Tennessee. He was the son of John Henry “Anse” Blalock and Levie Daniel. He had three sisters, Bessie Blalock, Maude Blalock, and Hattie Blalock. He had three brothers, Hoite Blalock, Clifton Blalock, and Clarance Blalock. By 1920, he was living with his family in Knox County. He married Mary Mae Hubbard and the couple had one son, Harold Vinxon Blalock, on October 14, 1929 in Sugar Valley, Georgia and a daughter, Jewel Blalock. In 1930, Private Blalock was living with his wife and child in Sugar Valley, but he moved back to Knox County before joining the military.
He enlisted in the military on October 2, 1942 in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. He died on May 18, 1944. His death is listed as died non-battle.
Returned from Kalaikunda, India. He was buried in Knoxville National Cemetery on June 2, 1948 (Section B, Plot 6674).
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, May 28, 1948
Lester F. Blalock, Pfc., age 34, of 1117 Folsom Street, was killed in action May 18, 1944, while serving with the U.S. Army in the Asiatic are. Survived by widow, Mrs. Mary M. Blalock, one son, Harvold V.; daughter, Miss Jewel; mother, Mrs. Levie Blalock; three brothers, Clifton, Jack and Clarence; three sisters, Mrs. R.W. Smith, Calhoun, Ga.; Mrs. B.C. Richardson, San Francisco, Calif.; Mrs. Clyco Owens, Fairmont, Ga. The body will remain at Weaver’s. Funeral services June 2nd at Weaver’s chapel. Interment in the National Cemetery.
- Rank: Private
- Date of birth: 13 March 1910
- Date of death: 18 May 1944
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: Quartermaster Corps
- Theater: Burma China India
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Knoxville National Cemetery, Knoxville, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIV, Top Panel
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