Obituary of Ella Pauline Sizemore

Ella Pauline Blizzard Sizemore passed from this life to God’s heaven on Good Friday, April 7, 2023, three days after her 93^rd birthday, at her daughter’s home in Yulee, Florida.  Pauline was born at home on April 4, 1930, in Church Hill, Tennessee, to James and Lydia Flanagan Blizzard with Pauline’s paternal grandmother, Louisiana Dotson Blizzard, in attendance as the midwife.  

Pauline grew up on the family farm in Carter’s Valley, Tennessee, and first attended church and school at Bradshaw’s Chapel.  She then attended Hawkins County Schools until graduating from Church Hill High School in 1949.  During high school she worked for a local dentist and after graduation got a job at the Kingsport Press as a proofreader.   

Pauline married James Benny Sizemore on December 24, 1954, and was widowed on November 12, 1981.  Deceased also are her parents, James and Lydia Blizzard; her brothers, Donald, Harold, and James Blizzard and their wives; one brother-in-law; and her grandson, Robert Peters.   

Pauline is survived by her sisters: Frances Cox and Ruth (Fred) Higgins; children: Shan (Wayne) Peters, Dinah (Larry) Peterson, Myra (Tony) Engelmeyer, and Vince (Jill) Sizemore; grandchildren: Jordan (Corey) Griffith, Makaila (Derrick) Stinnett, Lacey Sizemore, and James Engelmeyer; great-grandchildren: Aaron Peters, Christian Griffith, Taisley Sizemore, and Kamiya Williamson; as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Pauline’s children were born in Tennessee, New Mexico, and California, due to Benny’s work.  It was a good thing Pauline liked to travel because the family lived in many other places before finally settling in Florida.  Her travels later in life included Mexico, Alaska, and many other parts of the U.S.  After working many different jobs, including cutting watercress and packing oranges, she worked as a School Food Service Manager for Seminole County Schools for 18 years.  Her love of family and cooking was evident in every meal whether for family or school. 

Before her death, Pauline was lovingly cared for in the Peters’ home and by their local Hospice. 

Pauline will be laid to rest beside Benny in Oak Hill Cemetery in Kingsport, Tennessee, in a private service after visitation at Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Church Hill, Tennessee, on Friday, April 14, 2023, from 3 pm until 7 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or your local Hospice.  Memorials may be posted on Carter Trent’s website at www.cartertrent.com or Oxley Heard’s website at www.oxleyheard.com.