Mary Ellen Mathias Blackson

Mary Ellen (Mathias) Blackson, 95, formerly of New Philadelphia, died Saturday morning, August 20, 2005 in Park Village Health Care Center at Dover.Born July 6, 1910 in New Philadelphia, Mary was the daughter of the late Joseph R. and Stella I. (Gross) Henderson.After graduating from high school, Mary began her professional career working throughout New Philadelphia. One of her early jobs was working for Clyde V. Brown of the former Browns Western Auto Store in New Philadelphia. She continued her career working at Stephenson, Stephenson, and Carrothers Law Firm, retiring in 1986 after 18 years of service to them. Later, she worked five years at the Geib Funeral Home and was also a secretary at the First Christian Church in New Philadelphia. On September 2, 2003, Mary began her residency at Park Village in Dover where she was treated with dignity and love until her death.Her devotion to her church family at the First Christian Church in New Philadelphia spans numerous years being baptized there at the age of 11.Mary will be missed by her family who survives including her children, Mary Jo (Ted) Lyons of Troy, Oh, Earl Edward (Carol Ann) Mathias of Columbus, and Franklin Lee (Marilyn) Mathias of New Philadelphia; a step-daughter, Mary Lou Blackson Diamond of Jay, Fl.; six grandchildren, Cary Mathias of Strongsville, Stacy McDade of Mahomet, Il., Scott Mathias of Strasburg, Michael Lyons of Troy, Oh., Timothy Lyons of Los Gatos, Ca., and Amy Jones of Troy, Oh.; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; two nephews, David E. Williams of Leesville, and Thomas Williams of Uhrichsville; and many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, John F. Blackson, who died December 9, 1975, a sister, Leone Williams, a brother, Edison Henderson, a step-daughter, and a step-son.Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 23, 2005 from 1 to 2 p.m., immediately followed by a service to celebrate her life officiated by Pastor Jim Borton at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Burial will follow the service at East Avenue Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home, where a reception will be held following the committal service.