Olivia P. Blackman

Olivia Pope Blackman was born on September 6, 1934 in Madison County, Alabama, to Jessie Mae (Hawk) and Otha Pope. She was the youngest daughter (Babysister) of five children. She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Ada Belle Parker, Hazel Stewart, and niece, Vickie Betts and nephew, Dewayne L. Pope.

Olivia grew up in Nashville (with some summers spent in AL). She attended the public schools in Nashville from elementary through high school, graduating from Pearl High School in 1954. After graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Dallas Blackman, Sr. (They celebrated their 67th anniversary on July 15, 2020.) To this union, two children were born, Dr. Sharon L. Blackman (Dallas TX) and Dallas A. Blackman Jr (Lil Dallas) Nashville.

Olivia attended Tennessee State University, graduating in 1965, earning a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, and later a Masters’ Degree and Advanced Degree of Study from Trevecca Nazarene College.

Olivia’s professional career as an elementary classroom teacher spans over 33 years in the public schools of Nashville. She was exceptional, dedicated to supporting fellow staff and school administrators, parents, and especially her students. Named “Metro Teacher of the Year” in 1988, she went on to obtain other awards for teaching. She was named “Teacher of the Year” in 1994 and received a citation in 2004 for “Appreciation for Service to Education” upon her retirement.

Olivia has been a longtime, faithful and dedicated member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church with over fifty years of service. Throughout her membership and as a member of The Daughters of the King, she has worked tirelessly to maintain and organize many weekly events (flowers for the altar) and special occasions. In 2002, she received the Joseph L. B. Forester Award for Outstanding Service from Holy Trinity. She also sat on the Episcopal Diocese Board of Education for the State of Tennessee.

In addition to her professional life and service to her church, Olivia was actively committed to making a difference in her community. She was a life member of the following organizations: the NAACP (both the National and the Nashville chapters), the Tennessee State University Alumni Association, and a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

There are so many family and friends that Olivia leaves to cherish her many memories - husband, Dallas Blackman, Sr.; Children, Sharon L. Blackman and Dallas Blackman Jr.; Brothers: Walter Pope Sr. and Cecil Pope; (Bernice); a host of nieces and nephews, Mamie Brice (Atlanta), Walter L. Pope Jr, (Regina), Pamela Crowley (NYC), Susan Douglass (Elvis), Phyllis Gardner, (Tony), Cheryl Johnson, (Charles), grandnieces and grandnephews and Special family members Ola Scruggs (daughter) (Glenn), grandchildren, Jordan Scruggs and Morgan Scruggs Jeeter (Andrew) (Chattanooga).


In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Tennessee State University Foundation in memory of Mrs. Olivia P. Blackman. Checks should be made payable to the TSU Foundation and mail to: 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd, Box 9542 | Nashville, Tennessee 37209-1561 or visit www.tnstate.edu/memorialfund.