Martha Bell Blackburn

Martha Bell Blackburn died on February 4, 2020 at Langdale Hospice House after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Cairo, Georgia on November 20, 1932 to Roy Arthur Bell and Ruth Oliver Bell. Martha was a devoted wife of 40 years to the love of her life, Oris Degrapharee Blackburn. She leaves behind their two daughters, Rebecca and Mary, their families, and grandson Graf Exum.
As young adults, Martha, Oris, and their friends became swept up with enthusiasm for cooking French cuisine. Over the years this interest became a passion for her. Whether through entertaining friends, catering parties, or auction dinners, she became well known in Valdosta for her culinary skills.
This love for all things French led Martha to return to school to study the French language. She studied at VSU in Valdosta and the Sorbonne in Paris. She then taught French at Valwood School. She was a dedicated, inspirational teacher and was loved by her students.
Martha also had an entrepreneurial passion. She created a catering service called At Your Service with her longtime close friend Eloise Smith. And years later after a trip to Paris with Oris, she created her second business venture Sojourns in France. This soon became a highly anticipated annual group tour. Martha was an avid reader, gardener, and restorer of antiques.
Most of all Martha loved her family, her friends, and especially her husband, her daughters, and her grandson.
The family will always be grateful to the kind and loving staff at The Langdale Place and Langdale Hospice House.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Palms Unit at The Langdale Place, Langdale Hospice House, or The Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center of Emory University.
Mrs. Blackburn will be cremated and no formal services will be held. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.McLaneCares.com. Carson McLane.