MIRIAM BLEVINS

BLEVINS, Miriam Rebecca Walters, daughter of the late William Roy Walters and Rosamond Hill Walters, passed peacefully on November 12, 2012 at the age of 77, after a long illness following a hip fracture in August. She was preceded in death by her husband, the Reverend Reuben W. Blevins Jr.; and her beloved sister, Betty Wilhoit. She is survived by her daughter, Martha Brissette (Henry); sons, William (Malinda) and Benjamin (Guadalupe); grandchildren, Baxter, Marshall, Madeline, Roy, Ruben, Emeline, Meredith and Brian; brother, Bill Walters (Beverly); and sister, Roz Jones; and many nieces, nephews, countless friends she loved like family, including, Louis, Polly Beth and Peter. Miriam graduated from John Marshall High School, Emory and Henry College (B.A.) and VCU (teaching certificate). She served with dedication as the wife of a church pastor at the New Church charge, Norfolk (Epworth), Roanoke (Grace), and Westmoreland (Carmel/Coles Point). She cared for Reuben during his total disability and illness nearly a decade until his death in 1985. She taught high school chemistry at Washington and Lee High School in Westmoreland County. She worked as a child care provider and at the University of Richmond, Greenwood Memorial Gardens and Lakewood Manor. Her faith journey in the Methodist church began at Berryman and included Welbourne and Chamberlayne Heights. At Chamberlayne Heights, she kept nursery, helped in the office and was deeply involved with hosting CARITAS. She volunteered with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and served as president of the Richmond Chapter. She worked as an officer of election for the City of Richmond and starred in a recent educational video about absentee voting produced by the State Board of Elections.

A memorial service and reception will be held Monday, November 19, 10 a.m. at Chamberlayne Heights United Methodist, 6100 Chamberlayne Rd. The Highland Support Project (HSP) plans a special project to honor Miriam through a middle school music and arts classroom in her name. Please make memorial contributions to HSP, P.O. Box 7185, Richmond, Va. 23221.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.