Irene Emory Blackwell

Irene Emory Blackwell, 79, of Davidson, NC, founder of The Village Store and local community leader, died Friday July 25, 2014, with her family by her side. She is survived by her loving husband, Taylor Blackwell, four children and their spouses: Betsy Blackwell and John Watson (London, England), Jeb and Anita Blackwell (Charlotte, NC), Waller and Dawn Blackwell (Seoul, Korea), Greg and Megan Blackwell (Charlotte, NC) and eight grandchildren: John and Liz Watson, Kate and Hanna Blackwell, Daniel and David Blackwell and Stella and Shaw Blackwell. She also leaves her sister, Beth Emory Elliott (formerly of Wilmington, NC, recently of Phoenix, AZ) and 6 siblings from her father's second marriage: Bill Emory (now deceased), Bobby Emory, Walter Emory, Martha White, Mary Fisher, Sam Emory and Edie Emory. Mrs. Blackwell, daughter of the late Henry Robert Emory and Elisabeth Ellis Emory, was born September 13, 1934 and raised in Wilmington, NC. She attended St. Mary's College of Raleigh, NC, and Women's College of North Carolina (now UNC-Greensboro.) For most of her adult life, Mrs. Blackwell was a vibrant member of the Davidson, NC community and will be sorely missed by her family and friends. When Irene and Taylor Blackwell arrived in North Mecklenburg County more than 50 years ago, it was a very different place. Downtown Davidson largely served the small college town and the local farm community with a small grocery, drugstore and post office. Few people could envision the changes that the birth of Lake Norman, a growing Charlotte metropolitan area, and the evolving charm of Davidson would bring to the town. In 1966, Mrs. Blackwell became the proprietor of The Village Store. Working with the town boards, local businesses, and mayors, she helped frame and implement a strong vision of Davidson. Her projects included establishing the town's historic identity, creating a merchant's association, and founding annual events such as Town Day and Christmas In Davidson. More than 40 years later these institutions are still a part of the life of Davidson. Still family-owned, The Village Store is one of the longest running enterprises on Main Street and the oldest gift store in the state of North Carolina. In 2006, her efforts were recognized by Davidson College when she was awarded The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, given for outstanding contributions to the community. Mrs. Blackwell was deeply committed to many other aspects of the North Mecklenburg Community, including the International Student Program at Davidson College and the American Field Service which organizes international high school exchange programs. She and her family hosted and sponsored more than 30 students from all over the globe. Her long-term correspondence and visits with these friends from far and wide helped bring the world to North Mecklenburg and then inspired her family to explore the world. Trained as an artist, Mrs. Blackwell used her skills to create costumes for the Davidson Community Players and the Ballet Arts Workshop and to design a walking tour of Davidson which integrated points of interest in the town and college. Irene and Taylor Blackwell were also instrumental in the early efforts to establish Latta Plantation and Rural Hill. She helped create the first docent program at Latta and was closely involved with the Loch Norman Highland Games at Rural Hill. But perhaps her greatest gift was the building of and contributing to strong communities. She attended Davidson College Presbyterian Church where she was a member of her church circle and the choir. She was also an active member of her bridge club until Alzheimer's disease forced her to withdraw from these activities. However, even in her last years, Irene and Taylor Blackwell maintained a strong community of family, friends, caregivers, Hospice workers and volunteers who provided steadfast in-home care and support. The family wishes to express its gratitude for the constant support of friends and neighbors from the North Mecklenburg community, especially caregivers with Hospice, and Irene Sherrill, Betty Knox, Brenda Bentley, Jodie Doyle, Denise Torrence, and Jamie Stitt who were at her bedside with so much thoughtful comfort so much of the time, all together sharing the joy of her life which the sorrow of Alzheimer's could not diminish. A memorial service will be held Sunday August 31, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. at Davidson College Presbyterian Church in Davidson, NC. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice and Pallative Care of Lake Norman 705 Griffith St. Suite 203, Davidson, NC 28036, Davidson College Presbyterian Church,100 N. Main St., Davidson, NC 28036 or the Alzheimer's Association of Western North Carolina, 3800 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215. Raymer- Kepner Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family. Friends may offer condolences to the family at www.raymerfh.com.