Obituary of Pamela Sue Blackmon

Pamela Sue Blackmon (Long) 70, died in the early morning hours of March 19, 2024, after a short battle with cancer. 

Born April 9, 1953, she loved to read and was seldom seen without a book or Kindle. Science fiction, history, mysteries, and fantasy were some of her favorite topics. Besides her devoted husband, her other constant companion was her beloved cat, Augustine.

The daughter of Warren Ralph Long and Edith Celina Wilhite Long, she was born at Fort Jackson as the 4th daughter and 5th child of 8 siblings. She lived her formative years at her family home in Columbia SC. She graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1971. She graduated in 1975 from USC with a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a concentration in History.

She met her husband, Charles Olin Blackmon, at Woolco Department Store in 1976, where they both worked as managers. They married on October 23, 1977, at her childhood home. They began their family in Greensboro, NC in 1985 with the birth of their son, Michael Stuart and daughter, Sarah Elizabeth in 1988.  After many decades away, the family would return to settle in Greenville, SC in 2000 where they would spend the next 20 years. 

After retirement, Pamela and Charles moved home to Columbia, SC, where she would live out her final days. Her sister, Betty, enjoyed Pam’s return to Columbia. They became close again during weekly outings for lunch and shopping trips; and for her help and visiting with their sister, Flo, while she was in assisted living.   

She is preceded in death by her father, Warren Ralph Long, and mother, Edith Celina Whilite (Long); 2 siblings, brother, Dudley Earl Long, and sister, Nancy Jane Long.  She is survived by her loving husband, Charles Blackmon, her 2 children, son Michael (Dr. Sarah Birdsong) and daughter Sarah (Addison DiFresco).  She is also survived by her siblings, Trecia Ann Long McKinney (Whitney), Flora Ellen Long (Wesley), Betty June Long Yeates (Douglas), Wesley Warren Long (Debbie), and John Tasmon Long (Cinda), and many nieces and nephews.  

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the American Cancer Society. Services to be held at 2 o’clock on April 17, 2024 at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Rd. Columbia, SC. Graveside Service through Thompson Funeral Homes.