Bruce Paul Blalock

Bruce was born January 8, 1940, in Montezuma, NC to Paul and Rhona Blalock. He was the fifth of six children. He was a 1958 graduate of the Newland School where he was a standout basketball player and named Basketball King. After graduation he moved to Charlotte, NC and joined the Air National Guard, and served in the reserves. In 1963 he married his childhood sweetheart, Judy Garland Blalock. They later welcomed a daughter, Tara. Bruce, Judy, and Tara moved to Rome, GA in 1971 where they later welcomed another daughter, Debra.

Bruce was the owner of Southern Carpet Screens, Inc., (Rome, GA), and also Gravure, Inc., and Souther Engravers (Lyman, SC). He and several other members of the Rome community started First Rome Bank. Bruce was an avid golfer and long term member of Coosa Country Club. Some of his most proud moments in golfing include more than one Hole In One, several Senior Golf Championship titles at Coosa Country Club, and winning the Mona Kea, Hawaii, Championship title with one of the best scores the course had seen. Bruce gave his life to the Lord and was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church for over 50 years, where he often served as a Greeter. Bruce was a true Southern gentleman and passed those endearing traits down to the apple of his eye, his one and only grandson, Jarrett Proctor. Bruce and Judy spent over 20 summers in his beloved mountains of North Carolina at Mountain Glen Golf Community where they leave behind many treasured memories and friends.

Bruce was proceeded in death by his parents, baby daughter Beth, sisters and brothers in law; Pauline Sudderth (Ed), Margaret Sudderth (Felton), brothers; Charles, Jerry, and Lewie, parents in law; Tarry and Ruby Garland, brothers in law, Gene (Lydia) Garland and Bud Garland.

Bruce will be terribly missed by his daughters, Tara Proctor and Debra Blalock (Shawn Thacker), grandson; Jarrett Proctor; sisters in law, Shirley Daniels, Nancy Blalock, and Frances Garland, a host of beloved nieces and nephews, very best friend William (Bill) Carroll, and countless friends and golf buddies.

The family would like to thank the angels on earth for their loving care; the faculty and staff of the Renaissance Marquis/the Harbor, Amedysis Hospice, Tapestry Hospice, and especially Jennifer Dodd for her comfort and guidance.

Arrangements are being cared for by Daniel’s Funeral Home, Rome, GA. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 19, from 12:00 - 2:00 at Fellowship Baptist Church, 314 Burnett Ferry Rd., Rome, GA 30165. A memorial service will follow at 2:00. Interment will be at Oaknoll Memorial Gardens immediately following the memorial, 2549 Shorter Ave., Rome, GA 30165. Pallbearers will be Jarrett Proctor, Shawn Thacker, Ken Reece, Mike Borchers, Brian Albertson, Himanshu Patel, and Bill Carroll.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be kindly made to Aaron Baptist Church, P.O. Box 266, Montezuma, NC 28653, or to an appreciation fund established at The Renaissance Marquis, Rome, GA (706-295-0014), to be shared amongst his caregivers.