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Elise Faircloth Blackwell died peacefully on January 15, 2022, at her home in Birmingham.  She was born November 13, 1936, in Clinton, NC, to James Manning Faircloth and Annie Moore Parker Faircloth, and grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL, where her father was Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at The University of Alabama. Elise graduated from the University, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She subsequently married William Dunham Blackwell of Selma, the place she called home for over 50 years. 

Elise served the Selma community as one of its strongest advocates, tirelessly volunteering to enhance the city she adored. She also taught school, served as Tourism Director of the Chamber of Commerce, and as Director of the University of Alabama Regional Office. Elise was active in many organizations and charities, including the United Way, Selma Charity League, Selma Historical Commission (chairman), Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society, Riverfront Market, Old Depot Museum, Cahawba Advisory Committee, YMCA Board of Directors, and the Dallas-Wilcox chapter of the Alabama Alumni Association (secretary), receiving numerous awards and accolades through the years.

In addition to her civic activities, Elise was a vibrant member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, a member of the Daughters of the King, an avid tennis player, a passionate bridge player, and she also loved to read and travel.

More importantly, Elise, affectionately known as “Yee Yee” by her grandchildren and Faircloth family,  was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, and friend; and she was fun!  She moved to St. Martin’s in the Pines, Arbors Apartments, in 2018, making new friends and leaving her indelible mark there as well.  She will be greatly missed by her dear friends and family.

Elise was preceded in death by her daughter, Anne Blackwell, and her sister, Alice Wade Stackhouse. She is survived by her daughter, Julie Nesbitt (Tom), her brother, Jay Faircloth (Marlie), her sister, Anne Sessions (Larry), her beloved grandchildren, Walker Stinson (Haynes), Brooks Stevens, Mills Nesbitt, and Elise Faircloth Nesbitt, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 2:00 pm in the lower hall of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Selma, followed by a service in the church at 3:00 pm, with the Rev. Henry Hudson officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 210 Lauderdale St, Selma, AL 36701 and the Old Depot Museum, 4 Martin Luther King St, Selma, AL 36703.