Bennie Blakely Carr

Bennie Lou Carr was a devoted advocate and champion of people she admired. Dear to her heart was the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program of Georgia public health. As a Public Information Officer from 1967 until her retirement in 1981, she visited EMS posts across the state and praised the EMTs’ dedication and heroics. Her newsletters and her tireless support for EMS are remembered today by her colleagues. In a touch of irony, her daughter now works for the state health agency that includes EMS.

A native of Athens, Georgia, she was the daughter of Louie Blakely and Lourene Epps Blakely. She was an alumnus of the University of Georgia School of Journalism. While working in Atlanta, she was one of the rare women admitted to the then all-male Georgia Institute of Technology, where she completed the Industrial Engineering program in the night division. In 1993, her granddaughter, Lisa Rissmiller, graduated from Georgia Tech’s School of Architecture.

Bennie Lou passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, August 9, 2009 at the age of 90. She had love and joy around her in her latter years. In addition to her family and friends, she especially loved books, art, her family pets, and a good laugh. 

Survivors include Ruth Anne Carr; Lisa Rissmiller; Randy Owens, Barbara Lumpkin, Ben Lumpkin, Sr.; Robert and Tommy Lumpkin; Pat and Ann Epps, Charles Epps and George Epps; and many young people who often visited her home and loved her as “Nanny.” A. S. Turner & Sons