Betsy Lynn Blalock

Betsy Lynn Blalock, 88, of Charleston, South Carolina, widow of William Talmadge Blalock died Saturday, January 28, 2017. Her Funeral Service will be held Saturday, February 4, 2017 in Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel.

Betsy was born January 27, 1929, in Winston Salem, North Carolina, daughter of the late Theodore and Pearl Grissom Lynn. Betsy loved people. Not in large social situations but person-to-person, heart-to-heart. She gave of herself and listened in turn. She was a loyal and fierce friend. Betsy was a devoted fan of her grandsons' baseball teams and an adoptive grandmother to many of their teammates. Umpires feared her!

Placed in an orphanage as a child, it would shape her remaining life. She was an accomplished basketball player, an enthusiastic swimmer, and she learned to become an expert typist, going on to become a legal secretary upon graduation.

Reaching out to the lonely, or the hurt, or the suffering, she would understand and share their life in sympathy.

Losing her husband Talmadge and two older children took a toll on her loving nature. She desperately wanted to remain independent and a burden to no one.She loved Atlanta Braves baseball, the Clemson Tigers, and the Green Bay Packers. The latter she kept on the down low, as both husband and daughter-in-law were Bears fans. When the Braves played, however, the entire neighborhood might hear her cheers or occasional favorite color commentary.

Learning Italian cooking in Naples where her husband was stationed during the Korean War, Betsy's lasagna and spaghetti sauce were the standard to judge all others by. Her many desserts were legendary: Betsy's chocolate pie, Betsy's banana cream pudding, Betsy's chocolate roll cake, and Betsy's lemon icebox pie were among the many treats beloved by anyone fortunate to taste and feel the love of her baking.

Betsy loved birds and especially hummingbirds who often visited the many feeders she provided them. Squirrels were unwelcome guests.

Toward the end, she wanted to express her love to anyone near. At Roper Hospital Dr. McGill became a loving son to her, the nurses and therapists and technicians her extended family. To those who helped her, a hug was requested with a slight movement of her arm. The love blooming in the most desperate of circumstances was a miracle for all to see. Many tears were shed when she left to be in the care of hospice. More followed at Savannah Place, her home among so many friends. She communicated as best she could until the hour of her passing.

Betsy's fame is her family, her fortune is their love: radiant, unconditional love, the glorious crown of her life.

She is survived by two sons, Mark T. Blalock (Deborah) of James Island, SC, and Richard W. Blalock (Jennifer) of Mount Pleasant, SC; thirteen grandchildren, Michael, Brad, Will, Catharine, Megan, Casey, Tal, Tyrie, Stratton, Chelsea, Nick, John Ryan, and Becca; and eight great-grandchildren; her brother, Vann Lynn (Lib); and numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Marsha Axson, and a son, David Blalock.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Children's Home, P.O. Box 1288, Lexington, NC 27293.