Mrs. Blondell Filer (Courtesy photo)
Compton resident Blondell Filer passed away on February 9 at the age of 86 after a decades-long career in education, journalism and civic involvement. Her services were held February 27 at Citizens of Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Compton.
The widow of former Compton councilman and attorney, Maxcy D. Filer, Blondell was known throughout the community for her achievements in the Compton Unified School District (CUSD), the Compton branch of the NAACP, and as a columnist for the Compton Bulletin newspaper.
A native of Elkhart, Indiana, Blondell and her husband relocated to Compton in 1953. Although busy as a wife and mother of seven, she still found time to join her husband in working with the NAACP on integration in the city. In 1969, she became a teaching assistant at Dickison Elementary School, serving in arts education.
“Under her instruction, students learned how to cut and polish rocks in order to make jewelry, in a classroom converted to a lapidary. Blondell also taught students how to fire clay and stretch glass using a kiln,” recalled her son, Judge Kelvin Filer.
“Students learned to use things that they had access to everyday as well as recycled items and create objects of beauty and worth. This gave them a life skill that they could use to become entrepreneurs when they became older,” added her son, Attorney Anthony Filer.
Also, Blondell and Delores Zurita, Janell Brown and Phyllis Russo founded the Dickison Community Lighted School, an evening program offering a range of courses such as tutoring, dance, martial arts, drill teams and parenting classes. She later became a parent involvement specialist at Benjamin O. Davis Junior High School where she created the Dickison/Davis Nu Way Band. The group of 30-40 students performed throughout Southern California in schools, parades and civic events.
A graduate of Elkhart Business University, Blondell had many talents. She was a gifted musician who played cello, bass and piano. From 1969 to 1972, she wrote the “Women’s World” column for the Compton Bulletin. She also worked as office manager and legal secretary for her son and husband’s law office. In addition, Blondell was active with CUSD’s PTA Advisory Council, Victory Park Little League, and the Boy Scouts of America as well as a member of the City of Compton Charter Review Commission and First United Methodist Church of Compton.
Blondell was preceded in death by her parents, Pastor Hugh and Mrs. Adeline Burson; her brothers, Hugh Jr. and Ralph Burson; and sisters, Bernice Myers, Beatrice Rice and Beverly Hanks.
Cherishing her memory are her children, Maxine McFarland, Duane (Janice) Filer, Kelvin Filer, Stephanie Filer, Anthony (Dionne) Filer, Dennis Filer and Tracy Filer; siblings, Harold Burson, Barbara Jean Blair, Herman Burson and Brenda Bryce; 14 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and many relatives and friends.
