Blanche Lemon

Blanche Serena Brown Vinson Lemon was born April 12, 1913 in Columbia, South Carolina to Enoch Brown and Elizabeth Green. She was released from her earthly body and was received at the Pearly Gates on Wednesday, September 8, 2004, in Baltimore, Maryland.Being the daughter of an AME Minister, she was baptized in the Emmanuel AME Church of Columbia, South Carolina and received her early Christian education there. She gave her life to God at an early age and remained faithful in her devotion to God until her death.Educated in the public schools of Columbia, she continued her higher education and received a Teachers Certificate from Allen University in 1934.She began her career in education in the rural public schools of South Carolina, and enjoyed teaching there for many years.Soon she met and married her first husband, Walter Vinson in 1941 and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This union produced three children, Joyce, Elizabeth and Timothy. Blanche was a devoted mother and gave her children every opportunity for learning, experiencing things and going places that she could. She made every day fun and exciting and filled with childhood joy.Seeking to improve the quality of life for herself and her children, and having high regard for education, she managed to find time to study at Cheney State College, with intentions of completing her Bachelors Degree.Not only did she give service in public education, but her love for Christian education and her devotion to God led her to a career in Christian Education, also. During the years she spent in Philadelphia, Blanche was appointed Philadelphia District Director of Children’s Work for (at the time) the Methodist Episcopal Church.Soon, she moved back to South Carolina and completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, at Allen University in 1951. During this time, Blanche worked as Director of the Bethlehem Community Center, which gave her the opportunity to be with her children most of the day and expose them to wholesome recreation, crafts, arts and skills that were being taught under her administration of the center.In 1952 Blanche met and married Eugene Lemon and began housekeeping in Baltimore, Md. He lovingly nicknamed her “Bee.” She began her career as a Baltimore City Elementary School Teacher. As with most persons interested in Education, she received a Master of Science Degree in Special Education from Coppin State College in 1973.In her new home, Baltimore, Blanche joined Waters AME Church and worked tirelessly as a Stewart, elevated to Stewart Emeritus as her health failed, Choir member, South Carolinian Club member, Sunday school Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent and Lay Leader. Blanche enjoyed attending church functions, conferences and Sunday school conventions. Her trips to Waters, driving her burgundy Chevy Malibu were an expected sight. During the church’s Centennial Celebration of 2001, she was recognized as a person who had given 50 Golden Years of Service.Blanche was always busy with her hobbies. She wrote poetry, plays, and narratives for Black History Month and occasionally read them at church. She was a skilled gardener and raised vegetables and fruits for canning. For one season, she opened The Red Maple Nursery, selling perennials, annuals, young trees, shrubs, etc. She also hosted the first Friendship Bible Study Group at her home, for a group of friends of different church affiliations who wished to study the Bible and fellowship. She attended and continued to read and study with them as long as her health permitted.At age 89, although her health was failing Blanche enjoyed a birthday party where all her relatives were present.She will live in the memory of her two daughters, Joyce L. Holmes and Elizabeth V. Maddox; one son, Timothy E. Vinson; two sons-in-law, Benjamin A. Holmes Sr. And Calvin Maddox; one daughter-in-law, Phyllis W. Vinson; one brother, Jessie Hennie; one sister-in-law, Gloria Hennie; five grandchildren, Karen Lomax, Daryl Maddox, Shayla Maddox, Eman Vinson and Phillip Vinson; one great granddaughter, Victoria Vinson and many nieces , nephews and cousins.Blanche also leaves a faithful friend she referred to as “sister not of the flesh, but sister in love,” Roberta Sweet.

Tributes

Blanche Lemon

April 12, 1913 - September 8, 2004