Perry - Margie Louise Spradley Blizzard, 83, went to her heavenly home Sunday, December 4, 2016.
Margie was the wife of the late Hubert W. Blizzard, Sr., mother of H. Wilson Blizzard, Jr. and his wife Cindy, Marcia Lee Blizzard and Melesia Farkas, grandmother of Maquel B. Jackson and her husband Sam, and sister of Jimmy Spradley and his wife Linda.
Margie was born on January 17, 1933 to the late Chester Arthur and Ollie Lee Spradley. Nine years later she became a sister to Jimmy.
Margie graduated from Wagener High School as Salutatorian in 1951. She then attended Columbia College and graduated in 1955 with a major in Home Economics. Margie began her teaching career in 1955 as a home economics teacher at Lexington High School. Margie decided to further her education at Florida State University where she completed her graduate work in speech therapy.
After nine years of dating, Hubert Blizzard drove to Florida while Margie was attending Florida State and asked her to marry him. Her brother Jimmy said it was about time. They married on September 2, 1956. Their life together was established in Perry.
Margie went to work for Aiken County School District as a Speech Therapist. She was Aiken County’s first speech therapist. While working Margie also attend the University of South Carolina and received a degree in special education and reading.
In 1959 their first bundle of joy came along, Wilson. In 1961 their first daughter, Marcia Lee was born. The baby girl, Melesia was born in 1963. Margie always instilled in her children to be your best and do your best. Margie was blessed to have Geneva Benjamin help her with the children and house. Geneva became family to the Blizzards. The Blizzard household also included dogs, horses, ducks, and cats. At one time Margie had over 20 outdoor cats. Margie opened her home to friends of her children when they needed a temporary home; Rene’ Gleaton Wolfe, Britta Tillison Carver and Johnny Ray Starnes.
In 1972 Margie and Hubert took a leap of faith and purchased Baughman Funeral Home, where Hubert had worked since 1950. The funeral home name was changed and is now known as Blizzard Funeral Home. Margie faithfully supported and worked alongside Hubert at the funeral home. The funeral home was not just a business for them it was a ministry to the community.
A lot of people knew Margie as the “Avon Lady”. Margie enjoyed selling and delivering Avon. Avon afforded Margie the ability to win trips and do a lot of traveling.
Margie retired from Aiken County School District in 1986 however, she only started working more. Margie volunteered her time through many avenues. Margie was a member of the Wagener Woman’s Club. She was very active in the retired teachers association of Delta Kappa Gamma. Margie was appointed by the Governor in 1989 to serve on the SC Foster Care Review Board for Aiken and Barnwell County. She served on the Town of Perry’s town council from 1986 - 2009. She was a very active Columbia College Alumni and spent countless hours helping at the Sursey Shop.
Margie was a member of Perry Baptist Church where she served faithfully. She loved teaching Sunday School and enjoyed singing in the choir. Margie was instrumental in helping start the Food Bank at Perry Baptist. Throughout Margie’s life she served many roles at church, but her greatest role was being a daughter of God. Margie was also a Webelo Scout Master. Margie always enjoyed teaching and giving back.
Margie had a very green thumb. She loved to work in her yard with her plants and flowers. Many Saturdays that is where you would find her. Margie and Hubert enjoyed spending time with their friends, the Smiths and Rishs. It was not uncommon on a Friday or Saturday night for the couples to go out to eat supper, watch 2 movies and then stop at Shoney’s on the way home for a late night breakfast. They also enjoyed spending time at Edisto Beach with the Kirkland family.
Margie had quite a few great loves: anything chocolate, taking a ride on a Sunday afternoon to get a cold Tab out of the drink machine at the Red and White, and shopping. One of her biggest loves was born on January 15, 1993; her granddaughter Maquel. Maquel was the apple of Margie’s eye. Margie was devoted to spoiling her only grandchild and helping teach her the value of giving back and servanthood. Every December Margie and Maquel would load up her van with gifts for Connie Maxwell Children’s home. Margie and Maquel spent many times together delivering fruit to the shut-ins at Christmas.
Margie’s life bore testament to the servant she was. She loved God and she loved being His servant here on earth. She instilled in her family the importance of being faithful to God and serving.
The family expresses their grateful appreciation to Betty Eidson for her compassion and care of Margie for the last 6 years.
Visitation will be held Friday from 5-7 pm in the chapel of Blizzard Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held Saturday at 11:00 am also in the chapel with the Rev. George Koon officiating. Burial will be at Perry Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Perry Baptist Church at 131 Milhouse St., Perry, SC 29137 or CTFK Ministries, PO Box 1115 Wagener, SC 29164.
Pallbearers will be Mark Hartley, Tony Kirkland, Johnny Ray Starnes, Doug Smith, Ricky Williamson, Rodger Sharpe, Sherman Cooper, and Tyler Young.
