Ilema Blackie June Morgan

Ilema was born on June 30, 1926, the third child of Samuel and Garnet Saloum, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by brothers, Sam Saloum, Jr and Charles Saloum; and sister, Elizabeth Waldron.

She is survived by daughters, Rebecca Morgan of South Charleston and Nancy Duty and her husband Ted of Winfield; grandchildren, Tyler and Morgan Duty; and sister, Elaine Pendleton of Dickinson, TX., and her aunt Anne McConihay of South Charleston.

Ilema’s close friends and family knew her as Blackie, the fun loving person who was always the life and laughter of the party and most often the first person out on the dance floor.

Blackie graduated in 1944 from South Charleston High School. She was a graduate of the nursing program at Saint Francis Hospital funded by the government to train nurses to serve overseas during World War II. The war ended before she graduated, so she never served overseas. She met several nurses at Saint Francis with whom she developed life-long friendships. She retired from nursing having last worked at the Union Carbide Tech Center.

Blackie, along with several others, were instrumental in starting up the Union Carbide Camps, Cliffside, Camelot and Carlisle. She would use her vacation time during the summer to serve as the nurse at the camps. She even met her future husband, George Morgan, while working at the Camps. Blackie also volunteered her time to the Secret Santa Program that provided Christmas gifts to underprivileged children.

After retirement Blackie enjoyed being “Nana Morgan” to her two grandchildren, working crossword puzzles and just relaxing at home. She was also an avid WVU fan and frequented Mountaineer Football Games.

Funeral service will be Monday, May 19, 2014 at 1pm at Wilson Funeral Home, 420 Lee St. West, with visitation being 11am to 1pm prior to the funeral. Entombment will follow at Cunningham Memorial Park Mausoleum, Garden of the Valley, St. Albans WV. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wilsonfuneralandcremation.com

The family sends a heartfelt thank you to the nurses, nursing assistants, and support staff on Maple 100 Hallway at Dunbar Care and Rehab Center where Ilema spent the final year and one-half of her life. We appreciate all the tender loving care they provided her and the support they provided to her daughters. A special thank you also to HospiceCare for all the support they provided Ilema and her family in her final months.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd, W. Charleston WV 25387 or your favorite local non-profit charity in Ilema (Blackie’s) memory.

Wilson Funeral Home, Charleston WV has been entrusted with the arrangements.