Eleice Blackwell Garner

Eleice Blackwell Garner, 105, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 7, 2024, in Murphy, North Carolina. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

Eleice was born on May 13, 1919, in Kirven, Texas, to D.E and Mabel Elmore. She attended school in Abilene and graduated from Abilene High School in 1937. Eleice has been passionate about dance throughout her life and even shared her talent by teaching dance during her high school years. After high school, she continued her education at McMurry College.

Eleice had a dedicated career, working at Sun Trust Bank in Columbus, GA, for 16 years before retiring in 1977. She later returned to Abilene, Texas, where she worked with the Corps of Engineers (Civil Service) for an additional 15 years, retiring once again in 1987.

She was a proud member of the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest and a passionate sports enthusiast. Eleice spent many years as a part of the Wisteria Independent Living Retirement Center family. Even at 105, Eleice never lost her spunk for life.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, John L Blackwell; her second husband, Bruce Garner; her parents, D.E and Mabel Elmore; her daughter, Sandra B. Young; her sister, Eloise Duval; her brother, J. L. Elmore; and two grandsons, C. Paul Young, and J. Christopher Young.

Eleice is survived by granddaughters, Ainslee B. Smith, Claire Segura, Margaret Pyatt, and Kimberly Young; six great grandchildren; and ten great-great grandchildren.