Mamie Irene Blackwell Franceschini was born on October 31, 1931. The daughter of the late Bolding Granville and Mamie Irene Shew Blackwell, she was the youngest of seven children. Her father thought she was "cute as a potato bug" and thus gave her the lifelong family nickname "Buggie."

Mamie's amazing drive, resourcefulness, and sense of style developed early. She worked many summer days tending the family garden, canning in the kitchen, and learning to sew clothes on her mother's foot-pumped Singer sewing machine. All three activities became lifelong pursuits.

Mamie's communication skills were honed while working as a telephone operator after graduating from high school in Poquoson, VA. She married and moved to Andrews AFB, MD, where her children Howard (Bobby) and Cynthia (Cindy) were born. Later, as a single mom, she advanced to become the Chief of Finance at the Andrews AFB Noncommissioned Officers Club where she met the love of her life, Walter Franceschini.

Mamie and Walt were married on August 10, 1968. She always joked that if she hadn't married Walt her kids would have left her for him. They moved to Columbia when he retired from the Air Force in 1969 and soon became an integral part of their neighborhood and community.

Mamie continued to serve her country and her Lord as the Head of Accounts Payable in the Nonappropriated Funds Management Office at Fort Jackson and worshiping and serving at North Trenholm Baptist Church. She and Walt organized numerous neighborhood events and also ran a much-loved Christian bookstore, The Shepherd's Corner, for nine years.

Mamie was well-known for hosting large parties in her beautiful home and winning countless First Place awards at the SC State Fair for her sewn and smocked grandchildren's clothes, crocheted afghans, quilts, plants, and jellies. Her yard won numerous "Yard of the Month" awards.

She is lovingly remembered by her son, Howard Meyer (Mary); her daughter, Cindy Powell; her stepson, Colen Franceschini (Deborah); her step daughter, Diane Ayon; grandchildren Rachel
Edwards (Nathan), Hannah Greaves (Ben), Michael Powell (Kaley), Amy McAllister (Ryan) and Kathryn Powell; and great-grandchildren Connor, Evan, and Kellen Edwards and Sawyer Powell.

Mamie's family sincerely appreciates all the expressions of love and support given to them and her during the final days of her journey of life. They are especially grateful to the staff at The Palmettos of Parklane, Abbey Road Hospice and the North Trenholm Baptist Church Early Risers Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in honor of Mamie may be given to The Palmettos of Parklane or Abbey Road Hospice, Bush River Road, Columbia, SC.

May Mamie's strength, grit, generosity and tenacious love inspire all of us to be "good and faithful servants" (Matthew 25:23) and "do our work heartily, as for the Lord" (Colossians 3:23).