Afton Blackwell

Afton was born December 14th 1923 in Neola, Utah. Afton was the oldest of 11 children. She graduated from Roosevelt High School with high honors. After leaving Roosevelt, she moved to Salt Lake City and attended school at the McCune School of Music, and later teaching piano there for a year. She served an LDS mission in Alabama and South Carolina. From there, she attended Brigham Young University where she majored in Elementary Education. Afton taught school for 24 years, with 2 years of that spent teaching school to the children of Air Force Service personnel stationed in Misawa Japan. She married Leland Churchill Blackwell August 6th, 1965 in the Salt Lake City LDS temple. They welcomed three children into their lives.
Afton was always providing love and support of her neighbors and many still consider her family.
As she got older, Afton stayed young at heart. She participated in many activities through the Sunday Anderson Senior Center, including dancing with a group of senior performers, “Sunday Anderson Hi-Steppers”. She also played basketball for fun well into her 80’s!
Afton is survived by siblings, Rulon Smithson, Wayne Smithson, Lora Smithson Braithwaite, Carl Smithson, Jennett Smithson Chandler, and Elaine Smithson Youngberg. She is also survived by three children, Amy Blackwell, Ruth Davis, Byron Blackwell, and five grandchildren. Afton was very active in her Faith, and played the organ for church services many years. She was a generous and loving person, and always went out of her way to help others.
The family would like to thank Cottonwood Creek Assisted Living as well as Highland Care for all of their care over the last several years. Having their help was such a blessing. The family would also like to thank Brighton Hospice for all of their assistance during this difficult time.
A viewing will be held at Redwood Memorial Estates at 6500 South Redwood Rd, West Jordan, Utah Friday, February 20th from 7-9 pm. There will be a short viewing Saturday, February 21st from 9-10 am at the LDS church on 1175 W 500 South in Salt Lake City, to be followed by funeral services. A short graveside service will follow.