Birth Date: 02/09/1925
Deceased Date: 01/08/2017
Dardenella Proctor Blow, 91, wife of James P. Blow, passed away on January 8, 2017, in Smithfield, NC. Born February 9, 1925, in Rocky Mount, NC, she was the daughter of the late William Gordon Proctor and Grace Bradley Proctor. She attended schools in New Bern and Washington, NC. After graduating from Washington High School, she attended East Carolina University. Dardenella married Jimmy Blow on February 17, 1945, while he was serving in the US Army Air Corps. After Jimmy was discharged from the army, they lived in New Bern until he opened The Jewel Box in Smithfield.
Dardenella was a devoted member of the Centenary Methodist Church in Smithfield where she became a member in 1946. She was a dedicated Sunday School teacher for over 65 years, helped with MYF, served as treasurer of the United Methodist Women, and was a devoted member of the Betty Sanders Circle. Dardenella served as a scout leader to Troop 608 until all the members of the troop whom she called “my girls” earned the highest award in scouting, the Curved Bar. Dardenella was honored with the Thank You Pin for her service not only as a troop leader but for her continued support of the local Girl Scout council. In the community, she served as president of the Smithfield Parent-Teacher Association and was formerly active in the Smithfield Garden Club. Throughout her life, Dardenella enjoyed working with her husband at The Jewel Box. Her genuine love for people, her integrity, and her organizational skills made her an asset to the success of the business that she and Jimmy developed together.
In addition to her husband, Dardenella is survived by a son, Gordon Lowry Blow (Wanda) of Smithfield and a daughter, Justine Blow Finch (Buddy) of Charleston, SC. She was the proud and loving MaMa to Kathryn Finch Mileham (Dunn) of Charlotte,NC, Lindsay Finch Trout (Carter) of San Mateo, CA, Darden Patrick Blow (Diana) of Charlotte, NC, and Grayson Lowry Blow (Jill) of Greensboro, NC. Dardenella was blessed with five great grandchildren: Wells and Cooper Mileham, Ella and Charlotte Trout, and Isla Blow. She is also survived by a brother, Billy Bradley Proctor.
A celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at 11:00, at Centenary Methodist Church. The family will receive friends in Wesley Hall prior to the service at 9:30. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Centenary Methodist Church, 140 East Market Street, Smithfield, NC, 27577, or to SECU Hospice House-Johnston, 426 Hospital Road, Smithfield, NC, 27577.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.underwoodfh.com
