Mary Ruth (Townsend) Blackwell

Tabor City, NC

Mary Ruth Blackwell, age 80, of Tabor City, NC, died Monday, August 25, 2025 in her home.

Born September 5, 1944 in Columbus County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Oscar Townsend and Mary Pope Townsend. 

She is survived by two sons, James Blackwell, Jr (Samantha) of Tabor City, NC and Buddy Williams of Tabor City, NC; two daughters, Mary Lisa Rabon (John Kelly) of Tabor City, NC and Tammie Williams Manning (Kenneth) of Tabor City, NC; one brother, David Townsend of Florence, SC; two sisters, Shirley Harrelson Chance of Leland, NC and Judy Pierce of Charlotte, NC; nine grandchildren, Nicole Soles, Santanna Lane, Dakota Manning, Avery Norris, Alexis Blackwell, Kristen Williams, Lindsey Lloyd, Kobie Williams and Dusty Blackwell; twenty one great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, John Blackwell; one brother, Jimmy Townsend; and three sisters, Dorothy Townsend, Pauline Edgers and Jessie Dabson.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 27, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Inman Ward Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM in the Inman Ward Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in the Forest Lawn Cemetery.

A service of Inman Ward Funeral Home & Crematory of Tabor City, NC.

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