Florabelle Collier Bloodworth Mellard

Florabelle Collier Bloodworth Mellard passed away peacefully on April 2, 2024.   

Flo, as she was known to most who knew her, was the daughter of the late Julius Logan Bloodworth and the late Florabelle Collier Bloodworth.  She was born in her parent’s home in Haddock, Georgia, on May 31, 1939. 

The Bloodworth family owned Cherokee Products Company in Haddock, Georgia and Ft. Pierce, Florida.  As a result, Flo and her cousins attended school in Georgia and Florida.  They would start school in September in Haddock and at the end of peach and pimento season in December, they would move to Ft. Pierce for canning of citrus juice and tomatoes. They would begin school in St. Lucie County Florida schools until school was out in May at which time they would return to Haddock for the next season.  While in Ft. Pierce, they lived in the Casa Caprona Apartments owned by the family.  Here they would make their home for the season where they made many wonderful memories. 

Flo loved being a Tri K Pirate and was a proud graduate of Wesleyan College Class of 1961.  She was a Home Economics major which inspired her to become an Interior Designer that would span a noted career in Macon, Middle Georgia, and the Southeast for over 60 years.  Flo’s creativity and eye for traditional beauty made her a notable designer. She was one of the original Interior Designers of the Macon Heritage Foundation’s Decorator Showhouse and enjoyed being a part of this event for many years.  

As a dedicated Alumna of Wesleyan, she continued to be involved in many ways.  Flo served many years as the Decorations Chairman of the Annual Christmas Tree Celebration.  As well as the liaison of the Class of 1961, she served as the Candlelighter for the Alumni Association, as it is no surprise Flo was the communications and “social chair” that kept her class connected with all things Wesleyan.   

She never met a stranger and loved being involved in many community activities in Jones, Baldwin, and Bibb Counties.  She was a member of the Milledgeville Garden Club, House and Gardens Club-Macon and Shirley Hills Garden Club-Macon.  She was active in Federated Garden Clubs of Georgia and the preservation of the Neel Reid House. She was a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution as a member of Oliver Morton Chapter-Gray transferring her membership to the Mary Hammond Washington Chapter when she moved to Macon. 

So many projects were near and dear to her but none as important as being alongside her husband, Bill, and other men and women who valued the education of their children in the founding, building, and supporting of Jonesco Academy in 1970 to 1983, upon the graduation of their youngest daughter.  This collaborative effort provided some of the most life fulfilling education, experiences, and friendships for the parents and students that continue today.   

Flo enjoyed entertaining especially at her homes, Grove Hill Farm in Gray, and later, her home in Shirley Hills. She opened her home twice a week to ladies in the neighborhood.  The “Sew What’s” on Monday and the “Friends at Five” on Wednesday.  “Friends” was the welcoming arm of newcomers to the neighborhood as well as some richly diverse conversation which at times impacted the local community. 

Mrs. Mellard loved her family and was proud of each of them.  She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, William L. Mellard and her daughter Elizabeth Mellard Graves. 

Mrs. Mellard is survived by her daughters, Tavia Mellard Henderson (Jeffrey) and Julie Mellard Eberlin (Kyle).  Affectionately known as Didja by many but especially by her grandchildren, William Chase Henderson, MD (Allyson), Jeffrey Gadsden Henderson, Parker Kirkland Henderson (Brianna), John Arthur (Jay) Hanckel, Jr., William F. West Hanckel (Virginia), Collier McKinney Eberlin, Robert Ling Graves III (Trey), Logan Elizabeth Graves and Caroline Graves Lowe (Parker); Great Grandchildren, Beckham Morris Parker Henderson, Mary Carlysle Henderson, William “Liam” Jude Henderson, Catherine Marie Hanckel; her sisters, Margaret Bloodworth McDonald (Neal) and Mary Jane "Cissy" Bloodworth Brumfield; son-in-law, Robert “Ling” Graves, Jr.; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A visitation will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 10:00am to 11:30am with service to follow at 12:00 noon.  Burial will be at Salem Baptist Church Cemetery, 126 Salem Church Road, Milledgeville, Georgia. 

Flo loved the beauty of flowers that have been part of her life, however in lieu of flowers, it was her wish that contributions be made to the Porter Burden Parlor Fund of Wesleyan College, in care of the Wesleyan College Advancement Office at 4760 Forsyth Road, Macon, Georgia 31210. 

 Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express your condolences. 

Hart’s Mortuary, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, Georgia 31201, has charge of the arrangements. 

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