Barbara Jean (Elmore) Blackwelder

Barbara Jean Elmore Blackwelder, age 91, entered the gates of Heaven on August 10, 2023.  She was born in San Pedro, California on January 29, 1932 to George Grady Elmore and Alice Turman Elmore. 

On December 22, 1951, she married the love of her life, Robert Rhyne Blackwelder, who passed away on November 24, 2018.  She is survived by their children Sharon Utsman (Percy), Becky Benfield, and Robin Crawford (Wayne).  She was a loving and proud Mammaw to Nicki DeJong (Rob), Courtney Parks (Daniel), Michael Benfield (Justine), Matt Benfield (Jessi Proctor), and Shannon Crawford. She was so very proud of her great grandchildren:  Chloe, Chandler, and Ashton Mayes; Kyla, Andrew, Lily, Henry, Abigail, Bethany, William, and Hannah Parks; Sloan, Audrey, and Barrett Benfield; Briar Benfield and Journey Hailey; and Tyler Willis.  She is also survived by her sister Patsy Elmore Howard (John); brother Ron Elmore (Jane), sister-in-law Wanda Blackwelder, special friends Floyd Owenby and Bonnie Coleman and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  They will all cherish her memory. 

In addition to her husband and parents, Barbara is predeceased by her siblings, Wanda Whitlow, Vernell Lipe, and Gary Elmore.

Barbara was a longtime member of the Troutman Garden Club and held many offices of leadership, including the office of President.  She was also a member of the Garden Club of North Carolina and had held the position of Recording Secretary.  She was an accredited Flower Show Judge.  For many years she was a member of the Oswalt ECA club and also was a leader of the Troutman Duck Creek 4-H Club, as well as a leader of the Wesley Chapel UMYF. 

She was a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, where she attended faithfully when her health allowed her to do so.  She enjoyed participating in the church’s “Hands and Feet of Jesus” mission projects, knitting and crocheting many cozy caps to be donated to people in need.   Even as her eyesight failed her, she still faithfully tried to continue to knit those caps.  Funeral services will be conducted at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, 579 Weathers Creek Road, Troutman, NC on Monday August 14th at 1:00 pm, conducted by Pastor Todd McCullough. Receiving of friends and family will be held on Sunday August 13th from 6-8 pm at Troutman Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Barbara’s favorite charity, St Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to The Hands and Feet of Jesus Ministry C/O Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, 579 Weathers Creek Road, Troutman, NC  28677. 

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