Miriam Blackmon

Miriam Morris Blackmon, age 89, the widow of William M. “Billy” Blackmon, jr. passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

Funeral services will be held 3pm on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the Olanta Baptist Church, with Rev. Myers Graham, Rev. Patrick Goodwin and Rev. Brenda Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Olanta Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tony Alexander, Doug Caulder, Evan Caulder, Harrison Caulder, Bobby Dukes, Furman Tanner.

A visitation will be held from 6 – 8pm on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Floyd Funeral Home of Olanta and at other times at the home of Donald and Linda McElveen, 14799 Highway 301, New Zion, SC.

Born on March 28, 1936, in Lake City, SC, she was a daughter of the late Eula Mae Evans Morris Clarke and the late Clarence Douglas Morris. She attended Lake City High School and furthered her education at F. E. Dubose Career Center. She was a former member of the Dentsville Baptist Church in Columbia, and a member of the Olanta Baptist Church since 1967. She was involved in many areas of the church where, through the years, she taught Sunday School, GA’s, and training Union, sang in the choir, served a term as the WMU Director, was an officer in the WMU Prayer Group for many years, worked with Vacation Bible School, served as recording Secretary and was in the Edna Myers Sunday School Class. She was a Past Matron of The order of the Eastern Star Beuclare #20 of Sumter. She retired from Clarendon School District #3.

Miriam was a good seamstress, took pride in her yard, enjoyed gardening, reading (especially her Bible and devotional books), spending time with family, working word search puzzles, spending time at the beach, the yearly mountain trips with her in-laws and traveling. Before her husband’s death, she and Billy enjoyed spending time together, whether it was traveling alone or with friends, staying at home entertaining family and friends, or quietly sitting in the backyard swing. She also enjoyed reminiscing about the past, researching and documenting family history, and cooking for her family, especially for large family gatherings.

As long as her health allowed, she was very active in her church and the senior adult ministries of Olanta Baptist Church, Barrineau PH Church, and the Turbeville/New Zion 60+. Though her health began to fail, she could quote Bible verses from memory, sing songs learned in church as a child, and recite poems and other things she learned in school. She was particularly proud of the recitation she learned in elementary school of the surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II.

Miriam lived a life filled with love, dedication, and devotion to her Lord and her family. Her sweet and gentle spirit and the love she shared with family, friends, community, and church will be fondly remembered and her presence deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Roger William Blackmon; one sister, Luella "Lucy" Morris Caulder; sisters-in-law, Margaret Blackmon Lee Yarborough, Miriam "Pee Wee" Blackmon McElveeen, Esther Blackmon, and Shirley Blackmon; and brothers-in-law, Raymond "Ray" Caulder, Foster Lee, Robert "Bobby" Blackmon, and Thomas "Tommy" Ham.

Surviving are two daughters, Linda B. (Donald) McElveen, and Lisa B. Stone both of New Zion; one son, Terry A. (Cindy) Blackmon of New Zion; six grandchildren, Michelle (Bruce) Baker and Scott (Sandy) McElveen both of New Zion, Erin (Eddie) Stelling of Lake City, Andrew (Macye) Stone of Manning, Matthew (Kelly) Stone of New Zion, and Amanda (Brad) Pelfrey of Alcolu; 15 great grandchildren, Will (Gena) Baker of New Zion, Tyler (Morgan) Baker of Lane, Josh (Logan) Baker of Kingstree, Thomas McElveen of Charleston, Adam McElveen of Columbia, McKinley Stelling and Edward Stelling both of Lake City, Grayson Stone, Hayden Stone, and Collins Stone all of Manning, Eli Stone and Ellie Kate Stone of New Zion, and Brayden Pelfrey and Colton Pelfrey of Alcolu; a great-great grandson, Layne Burke and a great-great granddaughter Jacie Rae Baker both of New Zion; sisters-in-law Marie Blackmon Ham and Mary Nell Blackmon (Lamar) Welch both of New Zion, and brothers-in-law, Harry Blackmon of Alcolu and Don (Emma) McElveen of Columbia; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was affectionately known as Grandma/Grandmama/Gma to her many grandchildren and Aunt Sissy or Aunt Miriam to her nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the Amedisys Hospice team of Sumter for the care, compassion, guidance, and friendship they have given.  A special thanks to Alicia Flowers, Breanna Stratton, Tanya Smith, Brenda Johnson, Karen Yates, Bridget Lemmon, and Robin Haancock with Amedisys Hospice.

Memorials may be made to the Olanta Baptist Church, P.O. Box 188, Olanta, SC 29114 or to a charity of one’s choice.

Floyd Funeral Home of 136 E. Main Street, Olanta, SC  is in charge of the care and arrangements for Mrs. Blackmon.  843-396-4470