Phyllis Carolyn Forrester Blevins

Phyllis Carolyn Forrester Blevins passed away from her earthly life into her eternal one on October 31, 2025, days after celebrating her 88th birthday. Phyllis was born on October 28, 1937, the oldest of eight children, to William and Dorothy Forrester in Mountain City, Tennessee, both of who precede her in death. Phyllis was a 1955 graduate of Johnson County High School, Mountain City, Tennessee. After graduation she attended East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. Phyllis excelled in her studies and thrived on learning. At a young age, she started her love of books. That love stayed with her, her whole life. After attending ETSU, she moved to Salem, Virginia to live with her grandmother and started a job at General Electric (GE). While working in Salem, she met” Blackie”. While they both grew up in Johnson County, Tennessee, attended the same high school, they did not actually date until they both were living in Salem. On June 30, 1957, Phyllis married” Blackie” in a small church wedding, at Phyllis’ home church, Valley View Methodist Church in Mountain City, Tennessee. They moved to Roanoke, Virginia, before buying their first home in Salem, Virginia. In 1958, their first son, Norman Steven Blevins was born, followed by their second son, Craig Forrester Blevins in 1960. In 1963, they moved to Radford, Virginia. Shortly after that move, they moved to Blacksburg, Virginia, making this place, their permanent home. Mom often referred to Blacksburg, as “Ole’ Blacksburg”, as both she and dad knew everyone associated with “Ole’ Blacksburg”. Her dream was to open her own fabric store, where she could sew, monogram for others and bring customers dreams to life, for different occasions. She met some of the nicest people, who became longtime friends. Her daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) Anne Blevins was born in 1976 and grew up in her fabric store. In 1988, she retired, to spend more time with her family and travel, more. Phyllis and her travel companion and good friend, Dot Hardwick traveled to numerous countries, every year. The only country that Phyllis was unable to travel to, that she wanted to, was Egypt. Her favorite countries that she visited were England, where she met the Queen Mum, Malta, Portugal and Croatia. She visited each of these numerous times, throughout her years of travel. For many years, she and Dad spent time in St. Marteen with their longtime friends, Dick and Pat Frizzell. Mom always joked that it was a break from Dad, as she could read and he could get into trouble with Dick. She was not wrong. Phyllis was very active at Blacksburg Christian Church. She served as worship leader and elder for many, many years. Several years ago, she was the recipient of the Elder Emeritus award, which she was so proud of. She would say that you shouldn’t receive an award to serve The Lord, but it should come from your heart. Her faith was very strong and she never wavered, even in 1996, when she and Blackie lost their oldest son, Steve. Both she and our dad leaned strong into their faith and into each other, for when it was their time, they would be reunited for eternity. Phyllis’ greatest joy in her life was her family. She nurtured and loved her children, all unconditionally. In 1992, Phyllis became “Granny B” to her twin grandchildren, Tyler Craig Blevins and Kelsey Ann Blevins. Both she and Dad made countless trips to Virginia Beach, Virginia to spend quality time with this duo and fall into grandparenthood. Phyllis took this role very seriously. She loved watching Tyler and Kelsey, as babies, then growing up into adults. Over the years, she has been “Granny B” to countless children that adopted her from church to English Meadows. She met 3 very special women at English Meadows, in the past few years. She considered their children Quinn, Willow and Miley, hers too! In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 66 ½ years, Blackie Blevins, who passed away on November 24, 2023. Her oldest son, N. Steve Blevins on June 10, 1996. She is also preceded in death by her younger siblings, G. Michael Forrester in 1968, Beverly F. Rutter in 2014 and Edwin P. Forrester in 2020. Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Beth Blevins of Lexington, NC. Her son, Craig Blevins (wife, Courtney and her children Sawyer and Cali Jo) of Blacksburg, VA. Her granddaughter, Kelsey Blevins of Virginia Beach, VA and grandson, Tyler Blevins (wife, Ann) and great granddaughter, Elena Marie of Los Angeles, CA. Lora Younts of Lexington, NC, who was like a second daughter to her. Her greatest joy, her “Katie B”, her beloved English Springer Spaniel, who has been Phyllis’ constant companion, always. She is also survived by two sisters, Lois Wright and Norma Blevins and two brothers, Jack Forrester and Scott Forrester, all of Tennessee. While our parents knew everybody in town, we wish to thank, the following, who were very close friends to Phyllis. Sean Arthur and Pat Moore, Dick and Nancy Seagle, Gary and Jane McCoy. Their friendship and love has meant so much to Mom, over the years, but especially since losing our Dad. A celebration of life for Phyllis Blevins will be November 9, 2025 at Blacksburg Christian Church, Blacksburg, Virginia at 2pm, with Rev. J.B. Beane and Rev. Gary McCoy officiating. Visitation will follow the service. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests contributions be made to Blacksburg Christian Church, 240 Watson Ave., Blacksburg VA 24060

Phyllis Carolyn Forrester Blevins

October 28, 1937 - October 31, 2025