Obituary of Arvenia May Bernheim Blackmon

Funeral services for Arvenia May “Blackie” Bernheim Blackmon, will be  Monday, December 16, 2019  at 2 p.m at Columbia Heights Baptist Church in Columbia, Louisiana under the direction of Riser Funeral Home. Visitation will be that morning at the church, beginning at 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Fellowship Cemetery in Columbia directly following the service. Bro. Ricky Baker will officiate.

Arvenia passed from this earthly life on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 and went to be with her Heavenly Father. She was preceded in death by her husbands, S.K. Bernheim and Mayo Blackmon, her infant daughter, Flora Miriam Bernheim and her beloved rescue dog, “Achilles.” She was also preceded in death by her parents, Elmo and Maggie May, brothers: Bill, Gordan, Aaron, Marion and Clyde May and sister Effie May Hinton.

Arvenia was born in 1924 in Caldwell Parish and was raised on a farm during the Great Depression. She worked in the family garden and fields and learned the value of hard work. She always said that while her family did not have a lot of money, they were rich in love. Arvenia was one of 8 children born to Maggie and Elmo May. She was baptized at the age of 12 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Columbia. Arvenia attended Ward 5 High School and later attended BMI Business Institute in Monroe. Her first job was at Southern Bell Telephone in Alexandria, and she later moved to New Orleans where she became a supervisor with the phone company. Arvenia also worked as a model for Star Studios in New Orleans during the 1940’s and modeled for Godchaux’s and Gus Meyer’s Department Stores. Arvenia enjoyed her life as a single woman in New Orleans in the 1940’s and early 1950’s.

In 1953 Arvenia moved to Monroe to be nearer to her parents and siblings. In January, 1954 she met S.K. Bernheim and they were married six months later. Arvenia and S.K. operated several businesses together in downtown Monroe in the 1950’s, moving into the residential real estate market in the 60’s and 70’s. Arvenia and S.K. were happily married for 26 years prior to his untimely passing in 1980.

In 1983, Arvenia was reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Mayo Blackmon. They were married in 1984 and lived a wonderful 26 years together at their home in the country in Caldwell Parish, affectionately known as “Squealer Hollow.” Beautiful memories were made there with family, and especially with their grandchildren of their blended families. They loved opening their doors to company and there were no strangers at Squealer Hollow. Mayo passed away in September of 2010 and Arvenia said she felt so blessed to have been married to two wonderful husbands, each for 26 years.

Arvenia loved her New Orleans Saints-she was their most loyal fan-if they were playing, she was in front of the TV, wearing her Drew Brees jersey and cheering them on.

Arvenia is survived by her daughter, Sadye K. Bernheim, grand-children, Sadrian Merritt Alderson (Dave), and Cale Alexander Merritt, great-granddaughters, Liana Beth Alderson and Sadye Ann Alderson, step-children Buddy Blackmon (Cyndee), and Gracie Hargraves (Dave), step-grandchildren Summer Wilson (James), B.J. Blackmon, Tommy Gentry (Sarah), former son-in-law, Frank Liepelt, brother Leo May, many special nieces and nephews, special friend, Bobbie Clay, and beloved friend and caregiver, Mary Troutt.

Pallbearers: Gene May, Steve May. Clint May, Josh Wulf, Micheal Blocker, and Rick Greer. Honorary pallbearers: Cale Merritt, Dave Alderson, Buddy Blackmon Frank Liepelt. Dave Hargraves, Eugene May, Bobby Mann, Galen Head, Donnie Earl Johnston, and Leo May.

Special love and thanks to everyone at Louisiana Hospice Care, especially nurse Julia, Joyce, Angee, Bro. Ricky, Christiana, and Dibble. Thanks also to Deanna and the staff at Dr. Ronald Hammett’s office.  

Memorials may be made to the Cemetery Fund at Fellowship Baptist Church or to your favorite charity.