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FAMU Recalls the Smiles of Its Slain Professor

Phil Sears/Tallahassee Democrat Lydia McKinley-Floyd, FAMU business school dean, delivered this message from FAMU President James Ammons about Sheryl Shivers-Blackwell's children: "I want to make sure that they are Rattlers."

By Tauheedah Shukriyyah Asad
Black College Wire

Two projectors displayed pictures of slain Florida A&M University professor Sheryl Shivers-Blackwell and her friends and family as hundreds of community members, faculty and students filled the pews of the New Mt. Zion AME Church in Tallahassee, Fla., to remember her.

The associate professor in the division of management in the School of Business and Industry was found dead in her Tallahassee home on July 5. Police discovered her husband, Baron Blackwell, injured there. He died on July 7. Police classified the case a homicide and say they do not believe a third party was involved.

Funeral services for Shivers-Blackwell, who was 36, were scheduled for July 11 in her hometown of Daphne, Ala. Many students at the July 9 memorial said they came because they would not be able to attend the funeral but wanted to pay their last respects.

"The community and FAMU have definitely been a great support," said Sherry Edwards, Shiver-Blackwell's cousin. "The family has received a lot of phone calls and messages from people trying to reach out."

During the service, Lydia McKinley-Floyd, dean of the School of Business and Industry, said the school community prepared a decorated box for the family of the bereaved to be filled with "loving memories and thoughts" from friends and faculty. Employees at the school said it had been very difficult to deal with the loss of such an amazing teacher.

Sheryl Shivers-Blackwell

McKinley-Floyd spoke on behalf of FAMU's new president, James Ammons, saying, "I want to make sure that her children are well taken care of; I want to make sure that they are Rattlers."

The School of Business and Industry, along with the Florida A&M University Foundation, are starting a fund for Shivers-Blackwell's children, Shelby Lauren, 6, and Baron Spencer, 3.

Those in attendance all commented on the professor's signature smile and upbeat personality. "Even as a kid, she was always smiling and always so upbeat," said Edwards. "She always strived to be the best and when she made goals for herself she met them."

Students said that her drive and accomplishments inspired them. Anitra Brown Charles, a former student and friend, called her an angel. "I say that she's an angel not because she's passed, but because of what she did for me while she was alive. I don't know where I would be in life if it weren't for her."

Charles said that Shivers-Blackwell inspired her to continue to pursue her master's and doctoral degrees while being a good wife and mother.

Edwards said Shivers-Blackwell was always an excellent wife and mother. This "was a very sad situation. She definitely did not deserve to leave the earth this way. She loved her husband and loved her children."

Tauheedah Shukriyyah Asad, a student at Florida A&M University, writes for the Famuan. To comment, e-mail .

Posted July 11, 2007