Ola Mary Blevins dies

By Deborah Goodwin

The Selma Times-Journal

After having devoted her life to her family and community, Ola Mary Blevins, 76, died Friday, March 30.

Well-known for helping people, Blevins devoted 27 years of her life to the American Red Cross. She served the community through community blood drives and Project SHARE, which is a service that assists the elderly and disabled with their power bills.

According to Lenoir, her mother &8220;worked more for them (Red Cross) when she retired (in 1994) than she did when she worked for them.&8221;

Blevins, a member of Queen of Peace, was also very devoted to the

Roman Catholic Church. She was involved with the Catholic Women’s Club, the church choir and would decorate the altar on Saturdays.

Blevins’ family, though saddened by her passing, takes comfort in her legacy.

Blevins was entered into the Book of Golden Deeds by the Selma Exchange Club and was a recipient of the Papal Medal from the Catholic Church.

The Papal Medal &8220;is an honor that very few people get,&8221; according to Blevins’ sister and only sibling, Kay Stickney.

Stickney recalled their mother saying that Blevins was the kind of person that &8220;loved you with her whole heart.&8221;

Stickney, described her sister as someone who didn’t just live in the community, but &8220;has been so much a part of this community.&8221;

According to Blevins’ oldest daughter, Terri Duehring, her mother and father, Richard, met when her mother was 18 years old working at Swift Drug Co. He was looking to buy a coke and found his wife. They married 1949. Blevins was 19.

Duehring said her parents were married almost 58 years and &8220;were still in love.&8221;

According to her family, Blevins had two other passions &045; bingo and the Atlanta Braves.

Duehring said her mother used to assist her father, a member of Knights of Columbus, during church bingo night, then would play a few games herself.

Blevins had two other children, sons Rick Jr. and Joe.

Lenoir said she felt God led her mother to serve the community.