Lee Ernist Blackwell - Leachville

Wednesday, October 10, 2001

Lee Ernist Blackwell, 74, of Leachville died Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at Jerome, Ark., he was the son of the late John and Athie Blackwell and had been a Leachville resident for nearly 60 years. He was a retired gin manager for the former B.C. Land Co. and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Leachville Masonic Lodge and had served many years as the fire chief for the Leachville Volunteer Fire Department.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Nell Dean Taylor Blackwell of the home; two daughters, Barbara Halsey of Jonesboro and Doris Willyerd of Leachville; four grandchildren, Jerry Lynn Halsey of Jonesboro, Leah Wright of Hot Springs, and Erin Willyerd and Emily Willyerd, both of Leachville; three great-grandchildren, Brandon Cole of Wappapello, Mo., Taylor Halsey of Jonesboro and Olivia Grace Wright of Hot Springs.

Services will be 2 p.m. today at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Leachville with Rev. Tom Bray officiating. Burial will follow in Leachville Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Ervin Sexton, James Johnson, Wilburn Lovelady, Marlen Miller, Kenneth Blocker and Wayne Heidelberg.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. T.N. Rodman, Wendy Cole, Pete Dortch and Monte Grimes.