Psalm 136 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever… Bluefield, WV- Elizabeth “Betty” Blaydes went home to be with her savior Jesus Christ on March 9th, 2019 after a long illness. Born on February 22, 1930 in Princeton, IN, she was the daughter of the late William Geiger Pfohl and Olive “Irene” Mitchell Pfohl.
As the child of an executive with the Pennsylvania Railroad, the family moved frequently during her early years living in many cities along the east coast. While residing in Baltimore, MD, she graduated from Baltimore High School in 1947, and went on to Philadelphia to the School of Nursing at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to pursue her nursing degree, graduating in May of 1951. As a registered nurse working at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, she met and married Dr. J. E. Blaydes, Jr
They resided in New York City, NY before relocating to Bluefield in 1958. During her early years in Bluefield, Betty was a devoted mother caring for her three children. She was fully engaged in their development in school, sports, music, art and church activities, often racing between girl scouts and little league football.
Noted for her red hair and outgoing personality, Betty participated in several state and community organizations including: The Women’s Auxiliary of the West Virginia Medical Society, St. Luke’s Auxiliary, The Girl and Boy Scouts of America, and the Mercer County Mental Health Board. In her spare time, she enjoyed playing tennis and walking the West Virginia hills. After raising her family, Betty dedicated her life as a Christian missionary through her ministry, Journey with Jesus.
She spent over thirty years traveling and spreading the word of the gospel primarily in Israel residing in Jerusalem. Drawing on her nursing skills, she volunteered in pediatrics at the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem and was the first non-Jewish member of Hadassah Women in Israel. Betty also traveled to the West Indies to work with twenty-three churches on three islands with tambourine in hand, and was loving referred to as “Dancing Betty”.
In her later years, Betty “retired” home to Bluefield where she remained an active member at Westminster Presbyterian Church and various religious organizations. She enjoyed spending time with her family, who affectionately referred to her as “Savtah,” as well as her many friends. She thoroughly enjoyed local community activities whether it be Chickory Square concerts, neighborhood Fourth of July parades, or Bluefield College basketball games.
She faithfully fulfilled her purpose in life by spreading the word of God to anyone she met leaving a lasting impression not easily forgotten. After her nomadic life, Betty truly loved and found solace in her West Virginia home where she never grew tired of marveling at the beauty of God’s mountains. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother William Mitchell Pfohl, and two sons, James Elliott Blaydes III and William Mitchell Blaydes.
Betty is survived by her brother Robert Allan Pfohl (Adrienne) of Barrington, IL; sister-in-law Rachel Pfohl of Trumball, CT; her son Dr. Stephen H. Blaydes (Kathleen) of Bluefield, WV; daughter Elizabeth Blaydes Lewis (Andrew) of Atlanta, GA; grandson Charles Blaydes of Washington, DC; granddaughters Jennifer Brooks (David) of Alpharetta, GA; Susanna McMillan, Rebecca Lewis, and Abigail Lewis of Los Angeles, CA; great grandchildren Judah, Willa, Charlie and Violet; and four nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of the Mercer Nursing Home and particularly the love and compassion of her companion caretakers, Patsy Arnold and Karen Harvey. A service to celebrate Betty’s life will be held on March 16th, 2019 at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am.
The family will greet friends at 10:00 am prior to the service in the Sanctuary. A graveside burial will follow the memorial service at Monte Vista Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2005 Washington St., Bluefield, WV 24701.
Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www. MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Elizabeth “Betty” Blaydes. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Elizabeth “Betty” Blaydes please visit our Sympathy Store.
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