Eleanor B. Blackmon

Eleanor Wilkerson Boyd Blackmon died September 14 at Wills Memorial Hospital after a very brief illness.

Born September 6, 1924 in Raleigh, North Carolina to Jessie Wilkerson and Clarence L. Boyd, she was the oldest of three children. Her sister, Emily Boyd Lowe predeceased her.

After graduating from Durham, NC High School, Eleanor completed a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Flora McDonald College (now St. Andrews University). At Duke Memorial Methodist Church during a visit home from college, she met Stephen Blackmon, a naval officer-in-training at Duke University. They were married there on June 25, 1947 and celebrated their 75 ^th Anniversary last June.

After teaching in Wilkes County Schools for three years, Eleanor became mother to four children in the course of five years. A devoted mother, she was deeply engaged in her children’s activities, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout troop leader. Many of her children’s friends still talk about her as their second mother.

Eleanor always loved being a Girl Scout. In addition to leading troop 72 for many years, she served as program chair and President of Otaki Girl Scout Council (now Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia.) She was delegate to several national council meetings and was enlisted for committees and special projects for more than 30 years.

Embracing her new hometown, Eleanor was always active in the community. She was a member of the Iris Garden Club and the Wills Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for more than 25 years, serving as president of both. She also volunteered with the Washington-Wilkes Historical Society and Friends of the Mary Willis Library. Under Governor Jimmy Carter, she worked on issues of prenatal care and infant health and nutrition. When she wanted to get something done, she was a force of nature!

Music was always central to her life. Eleanor served as music director and director of children and adult choirs at Washington First United Methodist Church for more than 20 years, then as organist and choirmaster at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator until she was 91. She and Steve sang with the Athens Choral Society and Athens Master Chorale for 31 years. Their home was always full of music, and Eleanor convinced Steve to rig speakers in the kitchen so she could listen to music while she cooked.

As her children left home, Eleanor did post-graduate work in Music Education and Music Therapy at the University of Georgia and taught another 18 years in Wilkes County public schools.

A warm and vivacious hostess, along with Steve, she hosted many happy gatherings in their home on N. Alexander Avenue. They made a point of welcoming newcomers, and opened their home for community events and many home tours.

Always a voracious reader, Eleanor enjoyed her book club. On the day before her death she was listening to an audio book, refusing to surrender her love of literature to failing eyesight. She loved to swim, doing so almost every day of the summer into her 90s. Eleanor loved to crochet and, until her eyesight prevented it, she always had a project underway. More than 100 of her afghans are treasured heirlooms for friends and family, including all but her two newest great grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Stephen E. Blackmon of Southern Manor Senior Living in Washington; her brother, Clarence L. Boyd, Jr (Samantha) of Garner, NC; her daughter Eleanor Elmira (Myra) Blackmon of Washington; Stephen Elisha Blackmon, Jr. (Evelyn) of Nashville; Phillip Boyd Blackmon (Carol) of Midland, GA; Jeffrey Earl Blackmon (Nancy) of Littleton, CO; and her “fifth child” Raymond Hughes of Thomasville, GA and Berlin.

Eleanor and Steve were especially proud of their grandchildren: Richard Blackmon Johnson (Sarah), Kimberly J. Bolton, Leah B. Foster (Kirk), Bradley M. Blackmon (Summer), Jonathan A. Demery (Amber), Benjamin B. Blackmon (Stefani), Anna B. Burnet (Derek), Julia B. Church (Dylan) and 12 great grand-children.

There will be a family-only Burial Service at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator on Saturday, September 24, followed at 3:30 p.m. by a memorial gathering of family and friends at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. All are welcome at the gathering.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wills Memorial Hospital Endowment, 120 Gordon St., Washington, GA 30673; Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia ( www.gshg.org ) 6869 Columbus Rd, Lizella, GA 31052; or to Wilkes County Schools Music Programs, 313-A N. Alexander Ave., Washington, GA 30673

The family is at the home of Becky Stover, 125 Greens Cir, Washington, GA 30673. Hopkins Funeral Home is responsible for arrangements.