ETHELYN BLACKWELL
1928 ~ 2019

MAYSVILLE, MO – Ethelyn J. Blackwell, 91, passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at the Sunset Nursing Home in Maysville, MO.

Ethelyn was born February 16, 1928, in Champion, Texas. She was the eighth of ten children born to Robert Lee and Mary Emma Bankhead.
Ethelyn went to Highland High School in Champion, Texas, where she played women’s basketball. Following high school, she went to Draughon’s Business College in Oklahoma City. She met her future husband on a blind date while visiting a friend in Kansas City.

Ethelyn married Dr. John Blackwell on October 26, 1954, and two sons were born to this union. They moved their family from KC to Maysville in 1968 when the rioting got too close to home.

Ethelyn worked at a vacuum store in Joplin after graduating college, in the office for Guys Potato Chips Co. when living in KC, then spent the rest of her career at the Independent Farmers Bank on the square in Maysville. She retired from there in 2006, after nearly 37 years of service. After retirement Ethelyn volunteered working the polls on election days and at the local historical society.

Ethelyn was also very active in and devoted to the First Baptist Church in Maysville. She served as treasurer for many years and was a licensed Sunday School teacher who worked in the nursery until health issues a few years ago.

Ethelyn was an avid walker and loved sports, especially basketball. She was happiest when sitting courtside – first watching her sons and later her grandchildren play. When Tim played basketball, you would find her in the crowd cheering and keeping his stats!

Ethelyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; a step-grandson, Cody Wilson; brothers, Doris, Troy, and Edsel; and sisters Hautine, LaTane, Neil, Evelyn, Roberta, and Nelda Ann (who died as an infant).

Ethelyn is survived by her two sons, Bob (Annette) Blackwell of Independence, MO, and Sam (Julie) Blackwell of Cameron, MO; grandson Tim (Margaux) Blackwell of Mission Hills, KS, step-granddaughter Betsey (Preston) Seymour of Rifle, CO; numerous nieces and nephews, her church family, and many friends.

Ethelyn was loved by all who knew her and will be dearly missed.
Her family would like to thank the workers at Redwood of Cameron, Sunset Nursing Home, and Comfort Care Hospice for the tender care they provided her the last 16 months.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 1, 2019 at Turner Family Funeral Home of Maysville with burial following at Savannah Cemetery. Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to either the Alzheimer’s Association or the First Baptist Church of Maysville. Online Condolences: www.turnerfamilyfuneral.com