Reva Jeanette "Net" Blacknall

Reva Jeanette Blacknall was born in a small close-nit community of Millcreek near Arkadelphia, Arkansas on October 20, 1955. She was the oldest daughter among the three born to Booker T. and Jessie L. Ankton Blacknall. By every account, “Net” as she was affectionately called was an intelligent, joyful and obedient child, gifted with a gentle nature that would serve her all her life. She accepted Christ at a tender age at Mt. Olive AME Church in Dalark, Arkansas. She was very active in church as a choir member and began her teaching career as a Sunday school teacher. She was a former member of St. Andrews AME Church, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and current member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church. She attended Arkadelphia Public Schools where she excelled as a student. Net was a 1973 graduate of Arkadelphia High School. She enrolled in Henderson State University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education and later a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She possessed her own style, always enjoyed a good game of cards and she loved gospel music. She soon put her degree to work in 1978 beginning her career as an educator for the Little Rock School District with the Little Rock Adult Education Center. She taught adult education for 17 years and 3 years at the Metropolitan Vocational Technical Education Center. Friends and family knew that children were the delight of her life. She began her work as a high school business teacher at Hall High School. She took the business of molding and nourishing young minds as a mission. Reva worked tirelessly at the home of the “Warriors” as a drill team coach/advisor, FBLA sponsor and chairperson of the Baccalaureate ceremony. All the while, Reva remained a force for good in the community and availed herself of every opportunity to learn and master the latest development and protocols in her field. She joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., was an active member of the Arkansas Education Association where she was a presenter for several years, National Education Association, Little Rock Classroom Teachers Association and the Black Leadership Caucus. Reva was a rare “rich gift” who never met a stranger and inspired everyone who crossed her path. After 58 seasons of life she received her blessing of immortality on Wednesday, May 21, 2014. Had she tarried longer those to come through the halls of Hall High School would have been recipients of her teaching, wisdom and love. Reva was preceded in death by her parents, Booker T. (February 7, 1982)and Jessie L. (May 13, 1997); her aunts and uncles, Florida Goodwin, Lucille Ankton, Myrtle Jackson, Mary Metcalf, Charlie Ankton and Roosevelt Ankton; and a special cousin, Robbie Bridges. She leaves a loving legacy with only son, Desmond Pruitt; two beloved sisters, Stacy Blacknall and Gloria Billings; her nephew and nieces, Terrance Billings, Tessle Billings and Jessika Williams; her special friend, Truman Watson; her best friend, Betty Harrison; cousins whom she cherished as her children; Knauida Harris, Eric Bridges, Marc Bridges, LaDonna Middleton, Danielle Price, Shandrea McKenzie and Sonja Wray; one aunt, Bessie Blacknall; a special cousin, Rosie Blacknall-Gill; and a caravan of other beloved relatives, friends and the sister’s of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the faculty and students of Hall High School. A celebration of thanksgiving for her live will be shared at 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. C. Dennis Edwards, I. Senior Pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church will preach the message. Public viewing will be at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 from 2:00 - 2:45 pm. Public viewing will resume at 5:00 pm at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Little Rock. The Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony will begin at 6:15 pm and the family will receive friends from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Interment will be in Centerpoint Cemetery in Sparkman, Arkansas.