DAPHNA H. BLIZZARD
May 9, 1905-July 23, 2008
SURF CITY -- Mrs. Daphna Holmes Blizzard, 103, formerly of the Pleasant Grove section near Mount Olive, died Wednesday at Britthaven of Harnett in Dunn.
Graveside services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Wayne Memorial Park, Highway 117 S., and will be officiated by the Rev. Paul Rose. The family will greet friends at the cemetery immediately following the service, and at other times at Joyce's residence at 202 Marlowe Drive in Dunn.
Born in Duplin County on May 9, 1905, she was the daughter of the late Charles W. and Daisy Scott Holmes. In addition, to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mordecai Blizzard; their only son, Elmo Blizzard; a brother, Gilbert "Chubb" Holmes; and four sisters, Pauline H. Crosland, Mae H. Smith, Louise H. Kornegay, and Margaret H. Herring.
When Mrs. Blizzard was born, Teddy Roosevelt was president. Growing up working on the family farm, she then, at the age of 13, worked in a grocery store. In 1923, she married Mordecai Blizzard and they opened their own grocery store. In 1951, the family moved to Surf City and they began a business, Blizzard's Ocean Resort, renting apartments and rooms, one of the first of its kind on Topsail Island.
Mrs. Blizzard, at the age of 95, was honored on June 6, 2000, as the oldest registered voter in the town of Surf City, having lived there for 50 years, at that time. The town's mayor and town council proclaimed her as "Surf City's Number One Citizen." She ran the business until 1980 when she passed it down to her grandson, Dexter.
She crocheted every day and loved to dance. She attributed her hard work and the fresh beach air for her good health throughout most of her 103 years.
She is survived by a daughter-in-law, Joyce S. Blizzard of Dunn and Surf City; a grandson, Dexter Blizzard of Surf City; a grandaughter, Wendee Blizzard Cowan and husband, Robert of Watha; a great-granddaughter, Amy Blizzard of Watha; a brother, Edward W. "Ed" Holmes Sr. of Mount Olive; several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. John Mann and the Britthaven of Harnett staff for the love and care they have shown to Mrs. Blizzard during her illness.
On-line condolences may be sent to www.tyndallfh.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on July 24, 2008 1:40 PM