Obituary

Barbara Blackwell was born on March 9, 1944, to the parents of Ethelene Washington and Humphrey Taylor Hewitt in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was the third born of ten children. She attended Booker T Washington High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. She met Willie Lee Blackwell Sr., and soon thereafter, they moved to California and got married. She attended Southwest College, where she received a certificate for nursing assistant. In December of 1973, she started working at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center as a Certified Nursing Assistant until 2007. As a CNA, she received numerous accolades for her dedicated service to patients care. Patients loved her exemplary bedside manner, and she was well respected by her colleagues. Barbara enjoyed her work, always optimistic, and made everyone feel at ease and happy with her sense of humor.

At an early age, she gave her life to the Lord. She used to sing in a choir. She attended the City of Refuge under the leadership of Bishop Noel Jones. Barbara was a prayer warrior. She was a fervent believer that prayer changes things.

Barbara loved to travel, which was her passion. She travelled across the country in her motorhome (from the west coast to the east coast). She enjoyed singing, dancing, music, scary movies, and Issac Hayes.

She leaves behind four children: Willie Lee Blackwell, Jr., Victor Lemore Blackwell, Gregory Dewayne Blackwell, and Taisha Michelle Jackson; twelve grandchildren: William, Victor Jr., Gregory Jr., Xavier, Nichelle, Myisha, Alice, Vance, Tiffany, Joseph, Daija, and Jailan; and five great grandchildren: Zier, Zamier, Mya, Syncier, and Josiah.

In addition, she is survived by four sisters: Gussie, Annette, Darlene and Linda; and two brothers: Robert and Nathaniel. She was preceded in death by two sisters: Shirley and Carlean, and one brother: Humphrey Jr.

Unfortunately, Barbara had a host of medical problems: congested heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and chronic renal failure. Her untimely death was due to medical complications resulting from the exacerbation of the congested heart failure. Barbara fought a good fight, but the Lord called her home-watch out heaven, here she comes, the life of the homecoming celebration. So we all need to rejoice that she is definitely in a better place, "where ain't nobody crying, ain't nobody worrying". God took his daughter home.

You ran life's race and won. You are now the rising and setting sun.

You are in heaven afar; a twinkle in God's star.