Gladys Holmes Blackmon

Benson, NC: Mrs. Gladys Holmes Blackmon, age 97, passed away on August 10, 2024 at UNC Johnston Health Center with her son and daughter at her side. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at the Banner Chapel Church, 1771 NC 50, Benson. Officiating will be Rev. Darren Bantz. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery, 507 N Wall St., Benson.

Mrs Blackmon was born on May 14, 1927 in Four Oaks to the late John Sutton Holmes and Annie Geneva Rose Holmes. She was the last surviving member of her generation in her family, which included 2 brothers, 5 sisters, and spouses in the Holmes family, and 20 siblings plus spouses in the Blackmon family. This was, of course, known as “the greatest generation”. Mrs Blackmon started her married life working in the home and as a tobacco farmer's wife. Later on, when her husband moved into contracting, she was an employee of Joseph's Clothing Store and the Block Shirt Factory in Benson. When her husband became a restaurateur, she became a restaurant worker, notably at the PineView Restaurant and Korner Kitchen in Benson, and the Gatsby Restaurant in Angier.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Carl F. Blackmon, her son, Gary Douglas Blackmon, her granddaughter, Pamela Bland, her great grandsons Lucas Jackson and Aaron Bland, and her great granddaughter Sofia Murphy. Surviving are her son, Frank Blackmon, of Oak Island, NC, and his wife Pat and her daughter, Sharon and husband Floyd Strickland, of Benson, daughter-in-law Debbie Blackmon of Four Oaks, 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 12 second great grandchildren. 

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at Banner Chapel Church prior to the service, and other times at the Sharon and Floyd Strickland home, Highway 242 N, Benson.

Arrangements by Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson.