Born September 23, 1930, in Columbus, she was the daughter of John Calvin Walding and Vela Mae Clemmons Walding. Her business career included 22 years as a bookkeeper for Groover Mitchell Insurance. After retirement in 1983, she wrote and published her first cookbook, “Country Cakes”, which became an instant and ongoing success, all through self-promotion efforts with her sister, Joanne Walding Walker. She subsequently authored and published several more cookbooks including “Meet Me in the Kitchen”. In 2000, Bevelyn was featured on QVC, making six productive appearances, promoting her cookbooks, and being highlighted on the popular network.
Bevelyn was married to the late Harold Lee Blair, of Columbus, from 1952 until his death on September 17, 2001. Bevelyn was totally committed to her family and reveled in her children’s and grandchildren’s successes. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother James Edwin (Buddy) Walding (1976), and sister Cheryl Walding Tommey Crosby (2018).
She is survived by her sister Joanne Walding Walker of Atlanta, loving daughter Diane Venable of Columbus and son Harold Lee Blair, Jr (Maureen) of Spartanburg, SC. Also surviving are grandchildren Michael Venable (Janice), Adam Venable (Brittany), granddaughter Ashley Blair (Tobey) and grandson Cal Blair, all of Atlanta, GA. She is also survived by two great grandsons, Milo Venable and Finn Venable of Atlanta as well many loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held Monday, February 13th at 11 AM in the Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus. Interment to follow in Parkhill Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be Sunday, February 12th at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary from 3-5 PM.
Pallbearers will be Michael Venable, Adam Venable, Cal Blair, Jim Walker, Matthew Tommey and Zachary Gibson.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Blair family.
