Margaret Murphy Blackwell Memorial

Beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Margaret Murphy Blackwell, passed away on January 28th, 2026, after 99 beautiful years, in Rome, GA. Born on April 3,1926, to parents Dessie and Charlie Murphy in Monticello, Florida, Margaret’s earliest memories were marked by the Great Depression and, as a teen, World War 2. The same year Jackie Robinson integrated major league baseball, Margaret welcomed her first child, Bonnie Bennett, with then husband John L. Bennett Jr. Nine years later, she witnessed the birth of rock and roll with Elvis Presley and the birth of her son, Charles Blackwell III (“CQ”) with husband, Charles Blackwell Jr.

While raising her family in the early 1950’s, Margaret opened her own clothing store on Slappey Drive in Albany, GA. The times dictated that the credit and the store be in her husband’s name (“Chama’s” short for Charlie and Margaret,) but Margaret was the true soul and visionary of the business at a time when female domesticity was valued over all else. She managed the store alongside her tiny toy poodle, Tracy, who sat in bed next to the counter or dangled from her purse. The store was a success and Lake Park Shopping Centre is still in operation in Albany today.

As the kids got older, Margaret loved to go RV camping across the country with her aunt and close friend, Lois Gilmer and husband Ray and spend time with her best friend Carolyn McDaniel. She also had a cherished relationship with her stepson, Marshall, his wife Jean, and their sons Robert and Mark and would frequently visit them and their families in Louisiana. As the years passed, Margaret’s family continued to grow, with five grandchildren who fiercely loved her and nine great-grandchildren who brought her immense joy. Though born into a time of radio broadcasts and five cent movies, she spent the latter part of her life frequently ‘Facetiming’ her grandchildren, listening to audio books, and streaming episodes of ‘Survivor.’

While she was ahead of her time in so many ways and the matriarch of a wonderful family, Margaret Blackwell’s true legacy was in how she made everyone around her feel. Southern kindness to the core and without exception, Grandma was home to everyone she met. She was soft and sweet and her laugh would brighten any room. But she was also strong, outlasting hard times and people without bitterness, and wicked sharp to the very end. We are lucky to have had her in our lives and her influence will live on forever through the people whose lives she touched.

Margaret is survived by her daughter Bonnie Bennett, son CQ Blackwell (Linda); granddaughters Sharlon O’Neal (John), Victoria DeLano (Jim), Kristen Gabai (Donny) and Melissa Blackwell (Naomi); and great-grandchildren Katherine O’Neal, Kelly O’Neal, Patrick O’Neal, James DeLano, Amelia DeLano, Ezra Gabai, Robin Gabai, Oakley Nolan and Riley Nolan. Margaret is preceded in death by husband Charles Blackwell Jr. and her grandchildren Rebecca and Lauren Blackwell.

Graveside services will be held at Crown Hill Cemetery in Albany, Georgia on January 31, 2026, at 2 PM EST. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make donations at the following organizations in Margaret’s name:

Canine Companions

MissionIsPossible

     Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel, is honored to serve the family of Ms. Margaret Murphy Blackwell.