George Williams Blackford

Spartanburg, SC- George W. Blackford, 87, husband of the late Carolyn DesChamps Blackford, died Thursday evening, May 2, 2013. Mr. Blackford was born September 22, 1925 in Spartanburg to the late Henry Jackson Blackford and Martha Williams Blackford. He was a graduate of Woodberry Forest School and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mr. Blackford honorably served his country in the US Navy in WWII. He started his career as a stock broker and financial advisor with A. M. Law & Co., a local family firm in Spartanburg. Mr. Blackford was employed with numerous firms which include J.C. Bradford, E.F. Hutton, and Smith Barney. He was active with the United Way in Spartanburg, and the founding of New Day Clubhouse, a psychiatric rehabilitation and career opportunities center for people with long term mental illness. Mr. Blackford was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church He is survived by two sons, George W. Blackford, Jr., and William DesChamps Blackford, and his wife, Page, both of Spartanburg; one daughter, Virginia B. Tompkins and her husband, Christopher, of Richmond, VA; and three grandchildren, Christopher R. “Rob” Tompkins of Richmond, VA, Harrison Page Blackford of Greenville, SC, and Elizabeth DesChamps Blackford of Spartanburg, SC. The family would like to thank the friends and staff at Park Place Assisted Living for their devoted care. A private burial will be held in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Funeral services will be Sunday, May 5th, 3:00pm in the sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg, officiated by Reverend Dr. Tom Evans. A visitation will immediately follow the service in the church social hall. In remembrance of Mr. Blackford, memorials may be made to New Day Clubhouse, 1530 Asheville Highway, Spartanburg, SC 29303.