Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
I was shocked and saddened to read the obituary of Dr. Charles Blair, who died Friday. He was 54. Blair was born in Mississippi but came to Asheville in 1990, where he started work at the health department.
Blair, an African-American man with a quiet voice and commanding presence, and one of only a few African-American medical doctors in town, started a health clinic down on The Block in downtown Asheville and started serving low-wage and indigent residents who had no health insurance or access to good health care.
Blair founded the Asheville Buncombe Institute of Parity Achievement, an organization aimed at addressing the fact that African-Americans often seek out and receive less quality health care than whites. He also co-founded Asheville’s well-known Building Bridges program, aimed at breaking down racism by bringing people together to learn from one another.
Blair’s passing is a loss to the Asheville community.
Obituary:
Asheville – Dr. Charles Edward Blair, 54, passed away Friday, April 3, 2009.
Born in Canton, Miss., in addition to his parents, Annie and AJ, Dr. Blair is survived by his wife, Jeannie, daughters, Liz and Kathy, and son, David Charles, as well as brothers, Alfred Jr., Terry and Darrell (Nancy), and sister, Elaine.
A member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. Blair was a talented doctor, compassionate healer, and visionary thinker. An undergraduate of Amherst and Alcorn State, he graduated from Meharry Medical Colege and completed his internship, residency and first medical staffing in the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of Major as Chief of Professional Services, 546th General Dispensary, while stationed in West Germany.
Since coming to Asheville in 1990, Dr. Blair has been a Staff Physician at the Buncombe County Medical Center and Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care. For a number of years, he served on the North Carolina Minority Health Advisory Council . The founder and medical director of the New Hope Community Health Center, Dr. Blair also served as medical director of the Three Streams Family Health Center. A pioneer working to achieve quality healthcare for all, his community service includes founding the Asheville Buncombe Institute of Parity Achievement as well as cofounding Building Bridges, Rites of Passage of Asheville, and The Drum 2000.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 11 at New Bethel Baptist Church in Canton, Miss., visitation from noon to 7 p.m. on Friday. Arrangements are being handled by Family Memorial in Canton, Miss. (604) 859-2829. In lieu of flwers, contributions may be made to the Blair Health Parity Fund at Buncombe County Medical Society, Three Streams Family Health Center, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, or Asheville Buncombe Institute of Parity Achievement.
