Mrs. Helen Louise Thomas Blackstone

BLACKSTONE- Mrs. Helen Louise Thomas Blackstone, age 84 of Loganville, GA passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at her home in Loganville from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. There will be no services at this time. Instead, the family will spread her ashes in Jacksonville, Florida at the place where her mother and all her maternal grandmothers of years ago will welcome her with open arms and she will be joined by her infant son who preceded her in death many years ago. Helen was born in Jacksonville, Florida on October 16, 1929 to Henry F. Thomas and Josephine R. Thomas. Helen was the loving sister to her two big brothers who always looked after her; Henry F. Thomas and James L. Thomas, both of Jacksonville, FL and is preceded in death by her little brother, John W. Thomas. Helen met her husband of 65 years at the lunch counter in Walgreen’s in Jacksonville, FL and married the love of her life a year later on July 22, 1949. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth W. Blackstone, Sr., with whom she shared a fun, loving and fascinating life. Together they raised three happy children, Joanna B. White and her husband, Howard (who has always affectionately called her The Old Bat), Nancy Blackstone Blair, and Kenneth W. Blackstone, Jr. and his wife Lyndi. Helen and Kenn have five grandchildren, Kevin N. Blair and his wife Nikki, Kenneth W. Blackstone III and his wife Melissa, Nathan E. Blair, Chrystopher A. Blackstone and his wife Shannon, Katherine B. Colling and her husband Joel, and Marissa Blackstone. Helen and Kenn have four wonderful great-grandchildren who have provided them with endless happiness and wonder, Kenneth W. Blackstone, IV (K#4) and his little sister Isabella Rose Blackstone and Chandler J. Blair and his little brother Cayden B. Blair. Helen is also remembered by her nieces, Carol McNaughton of Ventura, CA and Mary Moore of Jacksonville FL, her step-granddaughter, Teri Blair of Panama City, FL and Helen’s dear neighbor-daughter, Susie Bare of Jacksonville, FL. Mrs. Blackstone purposely misstated her age so she could work for Western Union as a teletype operator. She quickly became a wiz on the new machine and toured the country training other teletype operators at the ripe old age of 16. After raising her children, Mrs. Blackstone received her GED and went back to school at age 44 where she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Georgia State University and became an elementary school teacher in McDonough, GA. She was talented and creative with her hands and her mind. After her teaching career, she devoted a lot of years to creating puzzles for Dell Puzzle Magazine. Helen also created the most unique and fun Halloween Costumes from Cousin Itt to George and Martha Washington. With Mr. Blackstone, Sr. at her side, she would always insist on full attendance at the supper table where the food might not be so great, but the conversation was always lively. Mrs. Blackstone enjoyed bowling in women’s leagues throughout Atlanta and was greatly saddened when illness took her out of the alley a few years ago. She has missed her mornings with the bowling ladies. Mrs. Blackstone will be remembered for singing to the supper crowd at the Roosevelt Hotel in Jacksonville, FL when she was 12. She tirelessly devoted herself to transporting her children to extracurricular activities, taking charge as room mother and transforming herself into a carnival barker when needed. Mrs. Blackstone knew the words to every song ever written and would burst out in song at the drop of a hat when one word in the conversation would prompt her to sing. She certainly knew how to embarrass a teenager, but now her family all have a craving to sing. Mrs. Blackstone took pride in her Four Kenneths and made sure all her children and grandchildren knew how to play poker and a musical instrument. The memories of Mrs. Blackstone as a loving, laughing and caring wife, mother and friend will be with us forever. Arrangements by Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 670 Tom Brewer Rd. Loganville, Georgia 30052. 770-466-1544. Please sign the online guest registry at www.stewartfh.com

Mrs. Helen Louise Thomas Blackstone

October 16, 1929 - October 7, 2014

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Mrs. Helen Louise Thomas Blackstone

October 16, 1929 - October 7, 2014

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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