Obituary of Ellene Rice Blackman

Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Ellene Rice Blackman, age 87 and resident of Bastrop, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at Crossroads Cemetery, Crossett, AR, with Rev. Butch Goodman and Rev. Chad Merrell officiating. Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Monday at Golden Funeral Home. On Friday evening she went to be with her Lord and Savior. She was welcomed by a host of loved ones who had gone before. Becoming a widow at a very early age she took on the role of both mother and father charged with the upbringing of 5 little boys. She endured much heartache with the loss of two children but she always kept a smile on her face and worked hard to provide for her children. She was a remarkably strong woman setting the mark high as an example for her children. She was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and sister. She found much joy in being surrounded by her family, especially when holding her great grandchildren. She had a knack for bringing dying plants back to life, stitching beautiful quilts and making amazing hot tamales. She has stitched a lifetime of memories in our hearts and her gentle and loving spirit will always live there. She is whole again and for that we give thanks to our Lord Jesus! Proverbs 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed. She is survived by her four sons, Sammie Blackman of Bastrop, LA, Larry Blackman and wife Terri of Monroe, LA, Billy Blackman and wife Marsha of Monroe, LA, Eugene Blackman and wife Joy of West Monroe, LA; two brothers, Charles E. Rice and wife Mary of Crossett, AR, Robert Rice and wife Louise of Mountain Home, AR; six grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Blackman is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Blackman; daughter, Mary Lynne Blackman; son, Jackie Blackman; two brothers, Raymond Rice, Roy Wood Rice; sister, Nell Wolff; and parents, Dewitt and Averice Rice. The family would like to extend a special thanks to St. Joseph's Nursing Home and Carolyn Lowery for their attentiveness during her illness.