Mrs. Ora Lee Walters Blackwell

Mrs. Ora Lee Walters Blackwell, daughter of The Late Richard and Rosa Lee Green Walters was born in Richland County, South Carolina, on July 7, 1935. She received her eternal call on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at NHC Healthcare, West Columbia.

Mrs. Blackwell was educated in Richland County Public Schools and Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. After graduating in the Second Class of C. A. Johnson High School, she entered and retired from the nursing workforce with 35+ years of service at South Carolina Department of Mental Health.

Ora Lee was baptized at an early age and has been a faithful and diligent member. She loved the Lord and always kept God first. She became fluent in the arts and played the piano beautifully and sang in the church choir at Jones Memorial AME Zion Church. In addition, she often showcased her talent at the Township Auditorium. During her early years, she was married to Gerald Blackwell and lived in Bamberg, Germany for about three years. After returning to the United States and hometown she later joined I. DeQuincey Newman United Methodist Church (IDNUMC) where she assumed many roles. She was a humble Christian who believe in working together to achieve greatness. Over the last few years she was a member of the PPRC and chair of the Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) until the end. She was well respected and received many accolades over the years but none gave her great pride than being recognized by her IDNUMC church family: Woman of the Year; Spirit of an Activist, and Church Mother.

She was a person of love, who enjoyed cooking and baking; especially when it came to church events…that requested pound cake. Sunday Best was never an option because her outfit wasn’t complete without the matching shoes, handbag, and hat! She was a source of inspiration, encouragement and strength for all. She was a lady of wisdom who instilled core values of love, respect and charity in her family. She will always be remembered for the love she gave to her family, friends and her church especially with OUTREACH because the card was in the mail.

Mrs. Blackwell was preceded in death by her daughter Rose Evelyn Gilmore, parents Richard and Rosa Lee Green Walters, brother James “Manning” Green, brother-in-law John Bailey, Sr. and nephew John Bailey, Jr.

Left to cherish many fond and loving memories are seven children majority of Columbia, SC: Harriett (Robert) Lakin, Sr., Undra (Billy) Johnson, Joseph (Luella) Gilmore of Blythewood, SC, Iris Jackson of College Park, GA, Linda Gilmore, Glorinda Blackwell and Elisa Blackwell; one sister Thelma W. Bailey of Fort Washington, MD; one brother-in-law Darryle (Denise) Blackwell of Raleigh, NC; one sister-in-law Donna Blackwell of Washington, DC; nine grandchildren: Robert (Cassandra) Lakin, Jr. of Dacula, GA, Shipley (Chanqueta) Cofield, Jr. of College Park, GA, Tyra Gilmore of Charlotte, NC, Eric Johnson, Joshua (Tanyia) Gilmore of Greenville, SC, Ashley Green, Brian Blackwell and Paul Griffin, IV both of Charlotte, NC, and N’namdi Griffin; nine great-grandchildren: Deja Lakin of Arlington, VA, Robert J. Lakin, Nia Lakin both of Dacula, GA, Danielle Cofield of College Park GA, Miles Lakin, Andrew Cardwell, Alyssa Gilmore, Amelia Gilmore all of Greenville, SC, and Ace Green; two nieces, one nephew and a host of cousins, church children and other loving relatives and caring friends, caregivers, all of whom will miss her dearly.

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