Gretchen Carolyn Blackwell

Gretchen Carolyn Driggers Blackwell, 72, of Florence, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2013, at her residence. Mrs. Blackwell was born in Berkeley County, SC, a daughter of the late Curtis Daniel Driggers and Willie Estelle Ferrell Driggers.She graduated from Florence County Public School and was the co- owner and operator of AAA Janitorial Service.Mrs. Blackwell was a member of Piney Grove Church of God of Prophecy where she served as Missionary Director, Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Secretary.She was the Director of Vacation Bible School for many years as well as Choir Director. She is preceded in death in addition to her parents, by her husband, Joseph Blackwell; her brothers, Phillip Driggers, Franklin Driggers, Willie Driggers and Curtis Driggers; her sisters, Evangeline Jeffords, and Betty Jo Brisson, and a special cousin, Edna Creel. Surviving are children: Ricky Joseph Blackwell and Wendy Carol Perritte, both of Florence; her sister Sara Jane Hudson, both of Florence;two grandchildren, Brandy B. Thomas and W. Corey Perritte; a great-grandson, Quinton J. Hankins; a great-granddaughter, Raven C. Thomas; a step-grandson, Jamie D. Driggers; three step-great-grandchildren, Ty Driggers, J. D. Driggers, and Cheyenne Driggers, and a special cousin, Renay Ivey. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 in the Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home Chapel.Burial will follow at Florence Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Please sign the online registry in the Tribute Wall section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.