Helen Byrd Blackmon, 75, of Gaston, died Saturday, June 9, 2018. Born in Morven, NC on September 19, 1942, she was a daughter of the late Wallace George and Theo Ellen Atkinson Byrd. Helen grew up in Cheraw, SC, and graduated from Cheraw High School in 1963. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Helen worked for 60 Minute Dry Cleaners in Columbia for more than 15 years. She was a faithful and longtime member of Hidden Valley Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Ralph H. Blackmon; two daughters, Ellen I. Ellsworth (Shaun) of Swansea, SC, Deree B Ward (Dave) of Hardeeville, SC; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; brothers, Forrest Byrd (Sue), Dwight D. Byrd (Kathy); and a sister, Hilda Spease. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, George F. Byrd, Johnny W. Byrd, Cecil Byrd, William Byrd; sisters, Margaret Freeman and Betty Jean Kantor.

The service for Mrs. Blackmon will be held at 3 o'clock, Tuesday, June 12th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, with the Rev. Charles Starling and Mr. Dwight Byrd officiating. Burial will follow the service in Union Baptist Church Cemetery, Elgin. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, prior to the service beginning at 2 o'clock.

Memorials may be made to Hidden Valley Baptist Church Building Fund, 121 Casa Dell Road, Gaston, SC, 29053