John Oliver Blevins

John Oliver Blevins, age 91, of Thomaston, passed away Feb. 9, 2023.

He was born Aug. 19, 1931, in Charlotte, N.C., to the late George and Grace Blevins. After graduating high school in Kinston, N.C., he enlisted in the Air Force to serve during the Korean War. Stationed in the Azores, he eventually was promoted to staff sergeant.

On Feb. 9, 1955, he returned home and enrolled in North Carolina State University. He majored in textile technology and graduated with honors. While at NC State, he served as president of Delta Kappa Phi.

After college, his first job was with the Deering-Milliken Company in Union, S.C. During his career, he also worked with Fieldcrest in Forest City, N.C., the Werthan Company in Nashville, Tenn., and Genesco, Inc. in Nashville, Tenn.

In 1975, he started work at Thomaston Mills. He loved the people he met and became friends with during his time at the Thomaston and Peerless Divisions, as well as the employee relations center. Mr. Blevins retired in 1997 from Thomaston Mills as the corporate safety director.

Mr. Blevins was a man of many talents. He played baseball while stationed in the Azores, for a time was the managing editor of Textile Forum Magazine, and used his carpentry skills to build many structures including a screened-in porch and kitchen additions to his home in Thomaston.

He enjoyed yard work and gardening and always had a project to complete. He was quite active until the summer of 2022, when his health began failing. For the last eight months of his life, he resided at a local nursing home.

Affectionately known as “Mr. John,” he worked to bring others to the Lord throughout his adult life. While living in Nashville, he was a member of Gideons International and served as the Donelson Camp’s president for three years.

He attended Hightower Memorial United Methodist Church, Twin Oaks Baptist, and most recently Silvertown Baptist since moving to Thomaston. He taught Sunday school for many years and served as a deacon and in other leadership positions within each church.

Mr. Blevins is survived by his beloved wife, Ann Lu Palmer Blevins. He was known for his affection and devotion to his “beautiful” wife and always referred to her as his “Sweetheart.”

Other survivors include his sons, John P. Blevins (Karen) of Thomaston, Robert C. Blevins (Lori) of Winston, Ga., and Harold D. Blevins (Tricia) of Milner; and nine grandchildren, Ben, Rachel, Jacob, Elizabeth, Will, Jack, Sam, Matt, and Joel. Each loved “Papa John’s” humor.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Feb. 12, in the Coggins Funeral Home Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Gideon International at P.O. Box 1034, Thomaston, GA 30286.

You may sign the online guest book and share your own special thoughts with Mr. Blevins’ family by visiting the Coggins Funeral Home website at cogginsfuneralhome.com. Coggins Funeral Home in Thomaston had the privilege of being entrusted with arrangements.