Margaret Blackstone

Margaret Elizabeth Harris Blackstone, 84, of Titusville, FL, passed away peacefully the morning of November 14, 2023. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend—she was deeply loved and will be dearly missed. 

Margaret Harris was born on September 19, 1939, to John and Ruth Harris, as the eighth of what ultimately would be eleven children. She grew up living on a farm in the Greenwood area of Bessemer, Alabama, where the family had a garden, and raised animals and livestock. As for Margaret, she was always an avid reader: a neighbor had a home library, which she went through one book at a time, sitting in her favorite tree to “have some quiet to read”. She was an exceptional student throughout her school years, graduating from McAdory High School in 1958, before going on to work as a Ward Clerk at Lloyd Noland Hospital in Fairfield, Alabama in 1959, where she maintained patient records.

As fate would have it, in 1962 Margaret went on an infamous date with “Bud” Blackstone, which ended with Bud unceremoniously dropping a piece of frozen chocolate pie on her white wool dress. As Margaret would tell it with a laugh, that was that—she decided then to marry him, because “someone needed to take care of him.” They were married soon after, and moved to Titusville, Florida in 1965, where they raised their two children. True to their vows, their love and commitment to each other was an inspiration—they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past July.

Bud and Margaret were charter members of Park Avenue Baptist Church when it formed in 1969, and Margaret was heavily involved with the Church throughout her life. Her sweet demeanor and willingness to serve made her a natural for a host of roles: Sunday school teacher for kindergartners and first graders, Church greeter, volunteer for the Retreat Ministry, co-leader of a family life group. She was not tall, but she had faith the size of a mountain. She was fully devoted to God, her husband, and her family.

Margaret was kind, gentle, hopeful and joyful, the type of person who believes in the best in the people around them. She loved and cared for her family tirelessly, filling the role of advisor, doctor, therapist, peacemaker, counselor, teacher, chef, baker, chauffeur—whatever was needed to keep the family running. Her home was always “just so”, decorated for the next holiday season with a crafter’s sensibility, overflowing with small touches throughout. She was welcoming and warm. 

Margaret was predeceased by her parents, John and Ruth Harris; her siblings, Juanita Stewart, John Harris, Joe Harris, Dorothy Thomas, James (“Jimmy”) Harris, William Harris, Robert Harris, and Janet Harris; and her granddaughter, Cari Pyles. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Claude (“Bud”) Blackstone; her children, Sandi Saunders and husband, Mark; Tim Blackstone and wife, Allison; her grandchildren, Steven, Lacey, and Chloe; her great-grandchildren, Corey, Chelsea, and Caleb; her siblings Marion Mann, and Richard Harris; brother-in-law, Bill Blackstone; sister-in-law, Elaine Blackstone, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be a gathering of family and friends at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm, at North Brevard Funeral Home, 1450 Norwood Avenue, Titusville, FL 32796. Burial to follow afterwards at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, Titusville, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in loving memory of Margaret to Samaritan’s Purse (https://www.samaritanspurse.org/) or the American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org/). 

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