Winona Miller Blalock

Winona Miller Blalock passed away peacefully in the early hours of June 19, 2017. As a faithful child of God, she passed safely into His outstretched arms. Winona was born in Cheyenne, Oklahoma on October 27, 1930. She was the daughter of Alvie Olen Miller and Ulalalicyah Bales Miller and the oldest of four children, brothers Dewey, Wayne and Clayton Miller. She graduated high school in Conroe, Texas. While visiting her mother in the hospital she heard about this handsome young doctor and the rest of the story is - Winona married him. Raymond Bush Blalock was the love of her life. They were united in marriage on August 15, 1948. They began their life together in Galveston and Wichita Falls while he completed his internship and then moved to Huntsville, Raymond's hometown. In July, 1952, he opened Blalock Clinic. Thus began her many years of civic and community service. Winona was an officer in the Huntsville Garden Club and Elkins Lake Art League and a member of Huntsville Chi Omega Alumnae, Texas Medical Auxiliary, Huntsville Book Review, Huntsville Study Club and served as President of the Women of the Church and was the second oldest active founding member of First Presbyterian Church. Her children recall fondly the many times their daddy called her the "Hostess with the Mostest". Her love of entertaining, playing bridge, and passion for travel paired with the joy she found in being with others will be remembered by all who knew her. Winona and Raymond had three children, Raynona Blalock Ham (Noni) of Austin, Texas, Renée Blalock of Huntsville, and Raymond Bush Blalock, II, of Eugene, Oregon. In 1962, the family moved to Galveston for 3 years while Dr. Blalock returned to University of Texas Medical School to pursue specialization in ophthalmology. Those years of sun and the beach inspired her love of the ocean and Galveston always held a special place in her heart. On returning to Huntsville, she continued in all her activities as well as actively traveling to all the corners of the world. She and Raymond loved to share their adventures each time they returned. This passion of travel as well as the love of reading and live theater is being carried on by her children and grandchildren. Her grandsons, Chris and Travis Ham, and five great grandchildren loved their "Mama B." She enjoyed every minute of being with them and was an active participant in their lives. In the last few years, hearing their voices, seeing their pictures and having them visit brought her such joy. Winona is survived by her children, Raynona, Renée and Raymond; grandsons, Christopher David Ham and wife Rachel of Buda, Texas and Travis Blalock Ham and wife Holland of Keller, Texas, and great grandchildren Bailey, Brian, Kyla, Michael and James and her brother Wayne Miller. Winona was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Raymond Blalock, her parents Alvie Olen Miller and Ulalalicyah Bales Miller, step-father, Joseph H. Thomason, and brothers Dewey and Clayton Miller. The family wishes to express gratitude to the nurses and aides of Creekside Retirement Community, Alamo Hospice, and Divine Life Change for their care and support. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 22, from 5 – 7pm, at the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held on Friday, June 23, at 11am, at the First Presbyterian Church with interment to follow at Adickes Addition Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Huntsville. Full obituary may be viewed and memorial condolences made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Winona Miller Blalock

October 27, 1930 - June 19, 2017