Doris Graves Buchanan Blackard went home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 31, 2018 after a brief hospitalization due to a heart attack. She was born September 7, 1931 (87) in Wake County to the late Joe Ruffin Buchanan and Grace Graves Buchanan. Doris was married to the late Walter Hampton Blackard, Sr. on November 10, 1950. She retired from the Wake County Public School System where she was a school bus driver before applying her business education and cooking skills as cafeteria manager at several schools including Wendell Elementary.
Doris was a strong woman and the foundation of her family of 27. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt. Above all else she loved her family, faithfully cooking for family gatherings so that everyone could spend time together. She lived a long and active life and will be missed by all that knew her. Doris was a faithful and long standing member of Bethany Baptist Church where she was a member of the Bethany Baptist Bells for over 25 years.
She is survived by son, Hampton Blackard (Mary) of Wendell, granddaughters, Amy Weir (Scott) of Apex and Christy Shearin (Rodney) of Louisburg, four great grandchildren; son, Steve Blackard (Jane) of Wendell, granddaughter, Stephanie Lindsey (Michael) of Wendell, three great grandchildren; son, Ruffin Blackard (Annie) of Hixson, TN, granddaughter, Laura Santiago (Carlos) of Wendell, grandsons, Garrett and Sam Blackard of Hixson, TN, two great grandchildren; son, Thomas Blackard, (Susan) of Wendell; sisters, Mary Jo Mills (James) of Sanford and Sally Buchanan Ken Karn) of Caswell Beach, NC, two nephews, John and Joe D Mills (predeceased by James W Mills, Jr.). In addition, she is survived by eight step grandchildren, five step great grandchildren and her faithful feline companion, Ester.
A service to celebrate Doris’ life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Strickland Funeral Home, 211 W. Third Street, Wendell, NC, with Pastor Christian Bonham of Bethany Baptist Church officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends from 12:00 pm to 1:45 pm prior to the service and at other times at Doris’ home. Interment will be at Bethany Baptist Church cemetery at 3417Rolesville Road, Wendell following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Baptist Church at 3417 Rolesville Road, Wendell, NC 27591 or to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org/involved/donate.html. Condolences to the family may be sent to www.stricklandfuneral.com. Arrangements are with Strickland Funeral Home 211 W. Third Street, Wendell, NC 27591, 919-365-3612.
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