Mary Kathryn Blackwell

MARY K. BLACKWELL MIDDLEBROOK, VA Mary Kathryn Blackwell, 82, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, January 1, 2012 at Shenandoah House, Fishersville. The daughter of James Earl and Madge (Allen) Blackwell, she was born on Sunday, August 18, 1929 at Fairfield in Rockbridge County. In 1947 she graduated from Middlebrook High School as valedictorian of her class. In 1948 she graduated from Dunsmore Business College. She was employed by Clifton Forge-Waynesboro Telephone Company in 1948; then by Lexington Telephone Company where she held many office jobs until November 1957. The following years she joined Crompton-Shenandoah Company in the Cost Department. She worked for them until the plant closed holding many office positions there. When she retired in 1989 she was Personnel Administrator for Crompton Company, the parent company. The main interest of her life has been her dedication to her Lord as she served in numerous ways in her church, New Providence Presbyterian Church. She served both at the local level and at the Presbytery level, where she held positions on may committees and on the Co-Ordinating Team for the Presbyterian Women. She was awarded a life membership in the Presbyterian Women of her Presbytery. At her local church, she taught Sunday School for more than 60 years. She was an elder, being the third woman elected from her church. She served as Clerk of Session for a number of years; she was chairman of the History Committee and was President/Moderator of Women of the Church/Presbyterian Women. Crossword puzzles, crocheting and doing family genealogies were her favorite pastimes, along with reading. Mary Kathryn was a great friend and really enjoyed people. Mary Kathryn leaves behind many cousins and friends. Some of her closest friends include Wallace and Juanita Poole of Brownsburg, Lloyd and Peggy Coffey of Waynesboro, David and Betty Jean Reese of Greenville, John and Heather Lewis of Hamilton, OH, and David and Carolyn Hemp of Middlebrook. She also leaves behind Taylor and Madison Lewis, Clay Falls, and Levi and Hailey Hemp, whom she dearly thought of as her grandchildren. She will be missed by many. A Celebration of her life service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, January 5, 2011 at New Providence Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Dr. John H. H. Lewis and Rev. Keith A. Cornfield. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be David Reese, Paul Bird III, Steve Childress, Scott Childress, Randy Taylor, and David Hemp. By her request, there will be no public viewing or visitation, but those desiring may visit anytime at Henry Funeral Home ( www.henryfunealhome.net ). Friends and family are invited to meet for visitation in the Church Fellowship Hall following burial. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The History Room, c/o Ann Beard, 3911 Brownsburg Turnpike, Raphine, VA 24472 or to a charity of your choice.