Elizabeth Miller Blevins

COLUMBIA - Elizabeth Miller Blevins of Columbia, 78, went to her eternal home September 5, 2024. Born on January 25, 1946, to Amaryllis and Rogers Miller, Elizabeth’s life was full of love—love for children and teaching, for God and her church, for music, and for family and home.

Growing up in Shandon, Elizabeth graduated from Dreher High School (‘63). She then went to Winthrop College for a degree in education (‘66). Her teaching career began in Fayetteville, NC, continued in Meridian, MS and Millbrook, AL, before she returned to Columbia. She taught at Kilbourne Baptist Church Preschool before joining the faculty at Caughman Road Elementary School. Twenty-two years later, most of those spent in the Smart Start classroom working with “educationally-at-risk” 4-year-olds, she retired in 2011. She continued to assist with Smart Start testing until 2020, wanting to do her part to give each child the best start possible.

Wherever she lived, Elizabeth found a church to call home. As a child and youth, she attended First Baptist Church Columbia and, according to family, was there any time the doors were open. She returned to First Baptist when she moved back to Columbia, then moved to Kathwood Baptist Church, and eventually Forest Lake Presbyterian Church. In each place, she found ways to serve God in discipleship, missions, children and music. She became “mama” or “mama B” to the many youth she chaperoned on trips and events. Leading children’s choirs was just one more way to share her love of music.

Elizabeth made music a big part of her life. Growing up, she sang in school choirs and musicals. Through church, she sang and played handbells, as well as playing piano and organ. She continued participating in choirs as an adult, adding the school district choir and Columbia Choral Society to the groups she enjoyed.

Her greatest joy was her family. She was “Lib” to her sister and cousins and “Aunt Libby” to the many nieces and nephews she loved spending time with. She took great pride in the title of Mama to Amy, Kim, and Fred; Nonna/Memama to Ryan, Grace, Carter, Olivia, Claire, Elizabeth, Miller, and Bo. With each added family member, the house would shrink but her smile would grow. She embraced the chaos brought by having everyone home to visit.

The year 2020 brought a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease that eventually made her leave her beloved Shandon. She remained active with exercise, art, and music classes and her daily walks that of course involved picking flowers. Names faded but recognition remained. When words failed, music took over and visits were filled with whistling or humming the traditional church hymns. Elizabeth was prepared for her next journey.

She is survived by her sister, Ryllis Miller; children, Amy (Travis) May, Kimberly (Glenn) Hearn, and Fred (Rebecca) Blevins; grandchildren, Carter Blevins, Ryan and Grace May, Olivia, Claire and Elizabeth Hearn, Miller and Bo Blevins.

Visitation will be held at Dunbar Funeral Home on Devine Street, Monday, September 9, 2024, from 5 to 7pm. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 4pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Alzheimer’s Association.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.