Valerie Prescott of Deer Lodge, TN

Have you ever met someone so loving and giving that you wondered if they were an angel sent straight to you?  Have you ever met the type of person that had an infectious smile and warmth that really listened when you needed to talk and shared a wise story when you needed to hear the honest truth all the while giving you guidance and you didn’t know it?

Valerie Blacklidge Prescott passed away on December 7th, 2019.  She was my best friend in Tennessee and my angel.  Her positive energy and down to Earth mannerism was what drew us together.  She never met a stranger as her smile and friendly warmth was always inviting.  Valerie was stunning.  Her white hair, sparkling blue eyes, and constant smile were always the first thing one noticed.  Then, one would notice her perfectly matched clothing on her tiny build.  She turned heads especially when you heard her British accent.  Valerie brought sunshine into my life.

Most never knew Valerie’s many interests and talents.  She bought most of her clothes from second hand stores and would cut and sew them to fit her tiny figure.  She was incredibly artistic, worshiped the sun, and was very well read.  If one ever noticed her sitting down you would find her reading a book.  She loved poems, love stories, and especially loved books about famous people.  She loved the beach, cooking and baking, to clean and garden, and could also be found watching or taking pictures of the humming birds, deer, and other nature at her home out of her giant picture window.  She loved to travel and was always up for an adventure.  On any given day if her car passed by you would see and hear her singing Elvis songs and she knew all the words to most of his songs.

Whenever we would be out and about strangers were drawn to her and would stand neglecting what they were supposed to be doing as they wanted to hear her speak of her land and life.  Their comments were always about how she had the most beautiful blue eyes and zest for life.  And she did!

Valerie Edwina Blacklidge was born in the Royal Borough of Windsor, in the County of Berkshire,  England, on August 25th, 1938, to a humble beginning.  Her father, Edwin Ralph Charles Dickens was a plumber and toolmaker while her mother, Olive Constance Jones Dickens, was a homemaker.  She had three brothers, Rob, Roy, and Ralph.  She adored and always reminisced about her entire family.

She was a good student and after graduating worked for many years with handicap children.  She was always complimented by their parents for her patience and kindness.  As she aged Valerie had many suitors. She eventually married and had two beautiful children.  She was eventually blessed (against all odds) with her daughter, Terri, and then several years later was blessed again with her son, Warren.  She raised her children exactly like she was raised with love and kindness yet was stern when she needed to be.  Her daughter blessed her with four grandchildren, whom she also adored, Danny, Hayden, Kieran, and Connie; and they blessed her with her great grandchildren, Nate, Cody, and Lillith.

Later in life Valerie rekindled her relationship with Barry Prescott, a man she had known since she was a young girl.  They fell in love and she moved to the United States where they married in Gatlinburg and shared a loving life together in Deer Lodge.  Everywhere they went people would comment on how happy and beautiful they were together.  Sadly, Valerie’s ‘happily ever after’ was cut short when Barry passed in 2014.

Valerie chose to stay in America sharing her life with us here in Morgan County.  I was one of several to have been blessed with her friendship.  She was my angel and I miss her every single day.  I do hope that you, too, were blessed and were able to meet her, hear her stories, or simply share a smile.  I will never forget Valerie Edwina Blacklidge Prescott for her warmth, friendliness, and radiant smile have created endless memories that will be forever etched in my heart.  I love you Valerie.  Until we meet again my friend.

Tina Shanley

Valerie Edwina Blacklidge Prescott, aged 81, passed on December 7th, 2019.  She was born in the Royal Borough of Windsor, County of Berkshire, England, to the parents of Edwin Ralph Charles Dickens and Olive Constance Jones Dickens.

She is preceded in death by her parents and oldest brother, Ralph.

She is survived by her daughter, Terri Blacklidge, and son, Warren Blacklidge, grandchildren Danny, Hayden, Kieran, and Connie and great grandchildren Nate, Cody, and Lillith; 2 brothers, Rob and Roy.

She was a light in our lives and will truly be missed by all that have met and loved her.

Please join us in celebrating her life on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2020, at Schubert’s Funeral Home, from 5pm to 7pm.  Valerie’s children are flying in from England to meet her friends and would love to meet you.  Bring your smile and share your memories while being surrounded with all those that loved her.  We look forward to seeing you.

Schubert Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.