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It is with deep sorrow that the Blackwell family announces the death of their beloved mother, Mrs. Martha Ann Anderson Blackwell, 93. Mrs. Blackwell, the widow of Bryan Livingston Blackwell, entered into rest on Friday, July 26, 2024. The Directors of Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home & Crematory are caring for the family. A Service to the Witness of the Resurrection will be held at 2 o'clock on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church Hartsville, SC, with The Reverend Dr. Jeri Perkins and The Reverend Ashley Cheek officiating. The family will receive friends and loved ones following the service in the church Narthex. Internment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery. In memory of Mrs. Blackwell, please make a contribution to the Music Program of First Presbyterian Church, 213 W. Home Avenue, Hartsville, SC 29550. Martha Ann Anderson Blackwell went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Aiken, SC, surrounded by her loving family. Born May 28, 1931, she was the daughter of Mack Briley Anderson and Winnie Day Cole Anderson and grew up on her family’s farm in Sardis, South Carolina. Martha Ann graduated from Sardis High School in 1948 and then from Coker College, now Coker University, in 1953, with a degree in piano performance, where she studied with Virgil and Alice Smith and also Eleanor Vaughn. While a student at Coker, she met the love of her life, Bryan Livingston Blackwell. They were married on September 2, 1950, at Sardis Baptist Church, a marriage that would last over 71 years until Bryan’s passing in 2022. She began taking piano lessons as a young girl in Timmonsville, SC, and developed a love of music, which she shared with others throughout her life. She taught private piano lessons in her home for over 40 years and cherished the relationships she formed with her many students. She shared her musical talents as an organist at Swift Creek Baptist Church. Martha Ann also played for numerous weddings and funerals and accompanied her husband Bryan, who was a tenor soloist. She was the past President of the South Carolina Federation of Music Clubs, served as the editor of the National Federation of Music Clubs magazine, and served on the National Board of the organization. She also served as President of the Hartsville Music Study Club and was a member of Delta Omicron. She was actively involved with the board of the Hartsville-Coker Community Concert Association and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. For several years, she served on the Alumni Board with Coker University and maintained a lifelong connection to her alma mater. Martha Ann was the epitome of a graceful, kind, elegant Southern lady. She was devoted to her parents, sister, husband, children, grandchildren, and extended family. She loved entertaining and relished hosting showers, parties, and luncheons at her home. Martha Ann and Bryan graced their family with beautiful memories of decades of Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations spent at their home. An expert gift giver, Martha Ann always wanted her family to know they were cherished and special. She loved showering her children and grandchildren with encouragement and godly wisdom. Martha Ann’s other great love, besides Christmas, was visiting Sunset Beach, NC, annually with her family, where she enjoyed walking on the shore with her husband and collecting seashells. She loved antiques, gardening, roses, daylilies, and travel. Martha Ann also loved the mountains and trips out west. She loved the Lord and made sharing her faith a priority with her family and friends. Martha Ann joined the church at Sardis Baptist when she was young. She and Bryan were first members of Sardis Baptist Church, where he served as choir director. Following this time, both were members of Swift Creek Baptist Church, where they led the music and then First Baptist Church in Hartsville. She taught junior high girls Sunday School and later women’s adult Sunday School at First Baptist and played for opening worship. She and Bryan also attended church at First Presbyterian Church of Hartsville for many years. She is survived by her daughter, Joan Blackwell (Gary) Hoover of Aiken, SC; son, Barry Anderson Blackwell of Charlotte, NC; granddaughter, Kimberly Michelle Hoover of Aiken, SC; and grandson, Brent Michael (Alexandria) Hoover of Lexington, SC, as well as several devoted nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Bryan; sister, Patrica Anderson Hobbs; and brother-in-law, Van L. Hobbs. Thank you to the healthcare professionals from Agape Hospice, who provided compassionate care in her last days.

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Mrs. Martha Ann Anderson Blackwell

May 28, 1931 - July 26, 2024