Mr. Tyree Blakely Sr., 82, of Albany, Georgia departed this life on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. in the Union Missionary Baptist Church, 214 E Oglethorpe Blvd., Albany, GA 31705

Interment will follow in the Riverside Cemetery, 200 Cotton Ave., Albany, GA 31705.

On September 10, 1941, Lewis and Ann Molly Blakely gave birth to a wonderful baby boy, Tyree Blakely, Sr. He was one of four children: two sisters, Helen Hill and Tracey Blakely, and one brother, Bob Davis.

In 1966, Tyree married Mary Blakely and from their union came three children, Phoebe Denise Blakely, Tyree Blakely, Jr., and Gregory Blakely. Tyree Blakely also had a fourth child, Shonita Cheney Hicks.

Tyree attended primary school in Albany, Georgia, and graduated from Monroe High School in 1959. He continued his education at Albany State University, where he played football and received an Associate’s degree.

After leaving Albany State, Tyree went on to work at Independent Life Insurance. After a few years, he left Independent to work at Merk Chemical Company for several years. He then returned to his first love, insurance, where he started his own insurance agency. He would go on and receive several accolades to include Southwest Georgia Salesman of the Year on multiple occasions.

He began worshipping God at an early age and continued with his faith until his final breath.

Tyree was also one of the greatest checker players of Albany and was a member of a checkers club. Checkers was more than a hobby. He competed online and traveled to different places to compete. He studied the game online well into his 80’s. Tyree also enjoyed golf and at eighty-one years old, he was still playing eighteen holes of golf. He was always an athlete. He has traveled abroad and visited Africa at least ten to fifteen times, along with other countries.

Tyree was preceded in death by his daughter, Phoebe Blakely, and father, Lewis Blakely.

Tyree was survived by: three of his four children, Tyree Blakely (Towanda), Gregory Blakely, and Shonita Cheney Hicks; grandchildren, Tyree Blakely III, Kamante Blakely, Shane Hunter, Robert Hicks, Jr., and Ashlee Hicks; and great-grands, Karnero Blakely, Charter Blakely, Roshonni Hicks, Justin Dillard, and Ryan Hicks.

Meadows Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.