Mary Alice Blevins

Blevins, Mary Alice, 76, of Tampa, passed away Jan. 19, 2017. She was born in Binghamton, N.Y., March 10, 1940 to the late Dr. Paul F. Willwerth and the late Margaret Matthews. Mary Alice Blevins was born and grew up in upstate New York, Watkins Glen and Montour Falls, N.Y. Her Father, Dr. Paul Willwerth, was a physician and businessman from Syracuse, N.Y., and her mother Margaret Willwerth, a dietitian and artist, from Wallace, N.C. Mary Alice grew up with the Christian faith and values which she carried with her throughout her life. Her childhood summers were spent with her brother Ben and friends on Seneca Lake, boating, swimming and fishing. Her first job was that of a life guard. Mary Alice attended and graduated from Nursing School at the University of North Carolina. In Chapel Hill, Mary Alice met her first husband, the late Dr. Abner C Withers. She settled in Drexel, N.C., and raised their two sons, Abner C. Withers Jr. and Paul Wesley Withers at the same time continued her education at Appalachian State University, obtaining a Master degree in Education. While living in Drexel, Mary Alice was a teacher of nursing, at Western Piedmont Community College, Director of Nursing at Valdese General Hospital, and served a term as Mayor of Drexel, N.C. She received the award of Burke County "Women of the Year". Mary Alice left N.C. to take the Director of Nursing role at Mease Countryside Hospital in Dunedin, Fla. While in Florida, Mary Alice met and married her second husband, the late Tom Blevins. She and Tom moved to Prescott, Ark., hometown to many of the Blevins family. Mary Alice and Tom Blevins were married for 20 years. Mary Alice became a second mother to Tom's two sons, added more family and friends and loved her time in Arkansas. Tom and Mary Alice lived on a multi-acre farm, raised emus, gardened and love time with family and friends. She and Tom also owned and operated The Farm and Garden Store. After Tom's passing in 2010, Mary Alice moved back to Tampa, in 2011, to be with friends. She was introduced to Mr. Alvin Bennati by a close friend. Mary Alice and Alvin shared their lives together for the last six years. Mary Alice and Alvin's families were joined and enjoyed many great times together. Mary Alice inherited the love of a daughter and son and grandchildren of the Bennati Family. Mary Alice and Alvin loved their church, families and friends. Mary Alice and Alvin passed away together on Jan. 19, 2017. She is preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Willwerth, her father, Dr. Paul F. Willwerth, her grandson, Wesley C. Withers, her first husband, Dr. Abner C. Withers, and her second husband, Tom Blevins. Mary Alice is survived by her brother, Dr. Ben Willwerth, sons, Abner C. Withers, Jr., Paul Wesley Withers, Craig Blevins, Kurt Blevins, Alvin Bennati, Jr. and daughter Liane Bennati, spouses of her children, Reyna Withers, Penny Withers, Franklin Rankine, Mary Sue Bennati, Teri Bennati, niece, Kim Daniel and nephew, Dr. Ben Willwerth, Grandchildren, Kenny Zambrana, Benjamin Zambrana, Emily C. Withers, Abner C. Withers III, Grace Withers, John Withers, Nathan Withers, Jonathan Blevins, Jeremy Blevins, Alvin Bennati III, Trevor Bennati, Grant Bennati, Jake Bennati, and Gabriella Bennati. Visitation will be held, Thursday, January 26, 2017 from 5 PM to 8PM at Blount and Curry-MacDill Chapel, 605 S. MacDill Ave, Tampa Fla. Funeral service will be held on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 821 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, Fla. 33609. Please visit her online guestbook at www.blountcurrymacdill.com.