Dorothy Elaine Blackwelder

It is with a heavy heart to convey that Mrs. Dorothy Elaine Blackwelder, age 90, of Concord, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Elaine was born on May 31, 1934 in Cabarrus County to the late Joseph Leonard and Kathleen Mowrer Griffin. She was a 1952 graduate of Landis High School, and a 1955 graduate of Cabarrus Hospital School of Nursing. After graduation from nursing school, she worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Salisbury, NC for 34 years working in the geriatric and mental recovery units caring for patients ranging from the Spanish-American up to the Vietnam wars. After her retirement from the VA Hospital she worked for several years for the Cabarrus County Sherriffs Department helping in transfers of female inmates.

Her fellow nursing student Barbara Blackwelder Suitt introduced her to her brother, Don K. Blackwelder who would become her husband of 50 years. Don preceded her in death in 2006. She was also preceded in death by her brother David Griffin, and sister Mary Ellen Gordon. Elaine is survived by her sons, Barry Keith Blackwelder and wife Betty, Brian Eugene Blackwelder and wife, Libby, and Jon Reid Blackwelder and wife, Angie, Sister Patricia Griffin Reed, grandchildren Tiffany Perez and husband Joel, Mary Blackwelder, Leigh Poteat and husband, Brad, Lewis Williams and wife, Megan, and great grandson Jasen Barry Stone. 

In her younger years Elaine traveled extensively, and loved her yearly beach trips with her family, She also enjoyed gardening in her yard, reading, and helping people. Elaine was a care giver at heart, caring for her late husband, her parents, her in laws, and her sister. 

In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree or send donations to Hospice.