Phyllis Blackburn Meintzer

Phyllis Lucielle Blackburn Meintzer, 90, went home to be with our Lord Jesus on November 12, 2015. She passed away at Genesis HealthCare-The Pines in Easton. Born December 26, 1924 in MO, she was the daughter of the late Chester and Leona Butler Blackburn. Phyllis graduated from Hannibal High School in 1942. After high school she packed .50 caliber machine gun bullets for the war effort during World War II. A gifted singer, Phyllis soon moved to California where she received a scholarship at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara. She studied with Andres De Segurola of the Metropolitan Opera Company. While in California, Phyllis appeared as a soloist with the Santa Monica Symphony and was a member of the cast of the Guild Opera Company, where she sang the lead in a number of recitals and concerts including “The New Moon” and “The Pirates of Penzance.” Phyllis and her sweet friend, Betty Delahunty-Brown, made the drive from California to Easton, MD, to continue their music education. She studied voice under the great Mr. John Charles Thomas. While living in Easton, she met and married John Ells “Jack” Meintzer on April 11, 1953. Phyllis was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed singing, traveling the world with her husband and children, and simply spending time with her granddaughters. Her culinary skills were excellent, which she passed down to her granddaughter, Taelor. Phyllis was a longtime soloist for the Christian Science Church. One of her favorite things in life to do was to “take care of her guys” which she did exceptionally well and never complained. She had a heart of gold, always putting others first and helping in any way she could. In her later years, Otis, the Bassett hound was “her man” who she always talked about. Phyllis is survived by her two sons, Scott Meintzer and Dana Meintzer of Easton; four grandchildren, Taelor Meintzer-Jones, Kaleigh Meintzer, Jeffrey Meintzer and Alec Meintzer; her brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Suzanne Brock of Rancho de Taos, NM; and several family members in Missouri. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Ells Meintzer, who passed away August 22, 2014. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 115 Idlewild Ave. in Easton. Burial was private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Phyllis to Talbot Humane, P.O. Box 1143, Easton, MD 21601.

Phyllis Blackburn Meintzer

December 26, 1924 - November 12, 2015