Charlene Bleckley-Phillips

passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2017. Charlene was born on December 21, 1924 in Pharr, Texas, to the late Joe and Hazel Hill. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Dorwin D. Hill, who was killed in WWII; her step-mother, Irene Hill; and her husbands, Jim Bleckley and Woody Phillips.

Charlene grew up in Rio Grande Valley, a proud Texan. She met and married her husband, Jim, during World War II when he was stationed in San Antonio. After the war, they lived in Atlanta before moving to Winston-Salem in 1949. She and Jim treasured friendships from Church Street in Old Salem, Lakeside Apartments, Northhampton Drive, and their Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church family where she was an active member all of her adult life. She served in every aspect of the church she loved. She was a busy, creative mom raising four children. Charlene had a great sense of service to the community with the March of Dimes, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Meals on Wheels, and was involved as a volunteer in the schools her children attended. She later enjoyed working at Bocock-Stroud, retiring in 1985. When she married Woody in 1996, they were blessed to share ten years in church and community work and traveling together. She was deeply loved as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and a special friend and neighbor to many. Charlene’s greatest joy was having her family together, especially Christmas and the Fourth of July. Charlene resided at Independence Village (now Forsyth Court) since 2008.

Survivng are her children, Jimmy and Missy Bleckley of Austin, TX, Janie and Mike Livengood of Winston-Salem, Jerry and Susie Bleckley of Asheville, Joe and Susie Bleckley of Winston-Salem, her grandchildren, Banks and Dan Scothorn, Elizabeth and Thomas Duttera, Sarah and Jason Merrill, Martha Sue and Scottie Dunaway, Jeb and Will Bleckley, Rachel Edwards, Rebecca Bleckley; and six great-grandchildren, Sarah Kathryn and Sam Scothorn, James and Joseph Duttera, Lucy Merrill, and Palmer Dunaway. Also surviving are her brothers, Bruce Hill of El Campo, TX, Tommy Joe Hill of Blytheville, AR, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wants to thank Emily’s Homecare, Drs. Betsy English and Patricia Zekan, Novant Heath Forsyth Medical Center’s 8th and 9th floor staff, and Kate B. Reynolds Hospice for the loving care given to our Mother.

Funeral services will be held at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, 4700 Old Walkertown Road, at 2 PM Saturday, May 27th. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park. Vogler’s is assisting the family. Online condolences can be made through www.frankvoglerandsons.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Mt. Pleasant UMC, 4700 Old Walkertown Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27105, or to the charity of choice.