Margaret Blackwelder (12-29-20) service 1-2-21

Graveside funeral service for Ms. Margaret Eldora Qualls Blackwelder Blackburn, age 94, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, were held on Jan. 2, at Gatlin Cemetery with Don Russell officiating. Visitation with family was held prior to service at Park City Baptist Church.

Margaret was born on May 18, 1926, in Savannah, to the late William Andrew and Susie Bauguss Qualls.

She worked on the Manhattan Project at Oak Ridge and also in retail sales at Watson’s and the National Store. Margaret was a devoted Christian who loved the Lord and her family. She was a devoted pastor’s wife. Margaret was a member and Sunday school teacher at the Park City Baptist Church for 50 years. She loved gardening, especially her tomatoes, and working in her flowers.

Margaret passed away on Dec. 29, 2020 at Lincoln Medical Center.

Margaret is survived by her children, Mark Blackwelder of Fayetteville, Janice (Charles) White of New Market, Alabama, David (Cindy) Blackwelder of Mulberry, and Murray (Carla) Blackwelder of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Corey (April) White, Mark Blackwelder Jr., Michael White, Cayla (Cody) Smith and Owen Blackwelder; great-grandchildren, Blakely Smith, Breken Smith, Dani White, Isaac White and Loralai Perkins; and her beloved dog.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Rev. M.O. Blackwelder and Sam W. Blackburn; siblings, Lee Andrew Qualls, Grady Qualls, Parker Qualls, Helen Pettit and Jack Qualls; along with special friend, Thomas Honey.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Margaret’s caregivers, Debbie Moore, Peggy Holder, Angie Neal, Jeanine Horvath, Sherrie Maddox, Lissa Burton-Wingo and Pat Knott, along with the staff at Lincoln Home Health and Hospice and Lincoln Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, Tenn. 38105-9959

Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Ms. Margaret Eldora Blackwelder.