Kathryn Vivian Gomes-Blackmon, the Matriarch of our family, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, September 2, 2023, surrounded by her family.
Kathryn, or as many of her friends called her Kathy, Katy, Kitty and Kath, was born in Oakland California on April 16, 1924. Her parents were Amos and Ethel Gomes (both deceased). Her siblings also proceeded her in death, Clarice Harris, Agnes Woods-Moses and Romas (Clarence) De La Rosa.
A large part of Kathryn’s persona was her love for the arts, from childhood well into her adult life. As a child she was in every play, recital or dance troop she could be in. Into her adult life, she was a Triple Threat and was in many theatrical performances where she had a wide range of acting roles as well as singing and dancing.
Kathryn graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1942. During high school she meet Joe Blackmon, who became the love of her life. They were high school sweethearts that were inseparable. Joe had a job delivering newspapers and she was often found joyfully riding on the back of his bike while on his delivery route. Shortly after high school she married Joe and they remained married until his death in 1985. They had six beautiful children.
Kathryn worked for the Naval Supply Center on Treasure Island for several years in administration until she retired.
Kathryn was a devout Catholic and was an active parishioner at her parish at St. Edwards in Newark, Ca. She was a dedicated wife, an outstanding mother and grandmother and just a beautiful, fun loving, vivacious, generous woman inside and out, admired by everyone she met. She was always one of the first to volunteer to perform in plays at the school her children attended. She performed in school plays and the local theatres in “The King and I “, “Where’s Charley”, “Hello Dolly” and “Bye-Bye Birdie” just to name a few. She also had a flair for fashion. Kathryn was always dressed to impress, with full make-up before leaving the house or just opening the door to greet guests.
Kathryn (and Joe) had six children, chronologically, Daniel Gary Blackmon (deceased), wife Charla Blackmon; Raquel Marie Broadway, husband Jesse Broadway (deceased); Joseph Michael Blackmon, wife Suzanne Blackmon (deceased); Fred Patrick Blackmon, wife Laura Blackmon; Gabrielle Monique Logan, husband Cranston Logan; and Kathleen Mary Blackmon-Pinckney, husband John Pinckney. Kathryn is survived by several grandchildren, Joseph Blackmon Jr., Kristen Blackmon, Michael Blackmon, Mark Lee, wife Lesley Lee; Dr. Darnell Blackmon, wife Brenda Blackmon; Alsalaam Blackmon, wife Iasha Blackmon; Sabrina Walker; Donna Kacie; Alicia McNeary; Antonette McNeary-Garvin, husband Keith Garvin; Jasun Blackmon, wife Tanya Blackmon; Kimberlii Blackmon-Male, husband Andrew Male; Taylor Vaughan and Maya Pinckney. She is also survived by a host of great grandchildren, Darnel Blackmon Jr., D-juan Blackmon, Elijah Blackmon, Olivia Blackmon, Mauriona Lee, Stephanie Maddox, Sabrina Johns, Anicia Garvin, Joseph A. Blackmon, Angelina Blackmon, Ideliz Davis, Jayden Blackmon, Ariana Hernandez and Zoe Blackmon. A host of great, great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and many close family friends also survives Kathryn.
