Barbara K Blevins

While the life and work of Barbara K. Blevins ended on October 19, 2019, the impact of her years of dedication and service to this community will live on long past all of us here now. Her genuine love and concern for people will live through the work for which she was most honored and proud to perform – her teaching – from students in Tennessee at Madison, Hillwood and Apollo, to her students right here in our own backyard at Delaware Elementary, Helfrich Park Middle School, and USI. If you were fortunate enough to have had her for a teacher, rest assured, she loved you and she enjoyed working with you. She beamed when speaking of her opportunity to be in your lives. Her love of music, books, and the arts will continue to benefit all of us through her philanthropy and community service to so very many organizations too numerous to mention. Her legacy also lives through her support of her husband of 47 years, Dr. James R. Blevins, Dean Emeritus of the College of Liberal Arts at USI. Throughout his life and work, she was his strongest supporter and soul mate. She especially enjoyed hosting cast parties at their home for the New Harmony Theatre, The Lincoln Ampitheater, and USI Theatre. She was his right hand in everything, and the only person who could turn the name “Jim” into three beautifully deep southern syllables: Gee-um-a. Mere words cannot express how huge and strong her heart was. In a most sincere and humble fashion, she dedicated her life to people and nature. From donating money and time to social organizations to feeding birds, squirrels, and stray cats, Barbara was a tiny unassuming giant in our community. Anyone reading this, those who knew her as well as those who think they did not, most assuredly, you have all been touched by her presence here. She helped shape our community in ways for which no one is totally aware. A private, Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Barbara and Jim Blevins Student Development Fund at USI, Willard Library or the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra.