Mary Linson Blitchington

Mrs. Mary Linson Blitchington North Augusta, SC—Funeral Services for Mrs. Mary Linson Blitchington, 94, of West Arlington Heights Ave, North Augusta, SC, who entered into rest January 11, 2011, will be conducted Thursday morning at 11 o’clock from the Grace United Methodist Church. Rev. James E. Dennis, Jr., Dr. John M. Younginer, Jr., and Dr. T. Joseph Lusk officiating. Interment in Pineview Memorial Park. Mrs. Blitchington was born April 9, 1916, in North Augusta, SC. She was the daughter of the late Lewis O. Linson and Lena Bradshaw Linson. Preceding her in death were her husband of sixty-seven years, William E. Blitchington, Jr., and a sister, Dorothy C. Linson. Mrs. Blitchington was a life-long musician and member of Grace United Methodist Church. She began playing for Sunday School classes by the age of twelve and became Church Musician at fifteen. She continued as organist and choir director for forty-seven years, creating choirs for all groups of all ages. She continued to sing in the choir past her ninety-third birthday. After finishing Augusta College, she furthered her education at other institutions, including Scarratt College and Eastman School of Music. She attended numerous workshops in hymnody, piano pedagogy, and vocal technique through the years. The Certified Church Pianist program she created was published by the Methodist Church for suggested implementation in all its churches. In addition to her work in church music, she was a dedicated piano teacher, giving lessons from the age of fifteen through eighty-four. In her later years, she attempted to determine the number of students she had taught to play. She stopped counting at 1500. She continued to play for the residents at Sterling House and Hammond House, the assisted living facilities where she resided after her husband’s death in 2008. Mrs. Blitchington’s mind remained quite active through-out her long life. She often contributed to Wrinkles in The North Augusta Star and this past Christmas sent a quiz on Christmas carols to Bill Kirby, who published it in his Augusta Chronicle column. The family will be ever grateful to Betsy Nunamaker, who provided unlimited support and assistance to Mrs. Blitchington for many years. Surviving are three daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Robert Graybill, Brenda and William Skipper, and Beverly and David Blevins, all of North Augusta; four grandchildren, William R. Graybill, Jr., Lexington, SC, Wesley M. Graybill, Columbia, SC, Cynthia L. Smith, Allendale, SC, and Paul D. Blevins, North Augusta. Also surviving are five great-grandchildren, as well as a step-brother,Lewis O.Linson, Jr., Lithonia, GA, and a sister-in-law, Betty B. Purcell, Covington, GA. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Chancel Choir at Grace United Methodist Church. Active Pallbearers will be William Graybill, Wesley Graybill, Marcus Covar, Don Miller, Jim Dollar and Bob Young. The family will receive friends at the funeral home this Wednesday evening from 5 until 7. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 639 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, SC 29841. The family will be at the residence of Barbara and Rob Graybill, 1015 Marshall Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841. Posey Funeral Directors of North Augusta in charge of arrangements (803.278.1181). Visit the registry online at www.poseyfuneralhome.com

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Mary Linson Blitchington

April 9, 1916 - January 11, 2011