Marie E. Blackwell

Marie E. Blackwell – 

Addison, NY - Marie E. Blackwell, 96, was called Home to celebrate the Death and Resurrection of her Lord and Savior on April 2, 2021 in the loving presence of her family.   

Born August 16, 1924 to Thomas and Catherine Earley, she was raised in Waverly, NY along with her siblings, Frank Earley, Vincent Earley and Lorretta (Earley) Dean; all who have predeceased her.   

She married the Rev. Alfred C. Blackwell June 15, 1946 in Towanda, PA.  Together they moved to Fort Worth, Texas where Alfred attended seminary and Marie focused on their family.  While raising their three children, Chris E. Blackwell, Kim J. Blackwell and Catherine (Kitty Blackwell) Jacobs, Marie lovingly supported Al, and together, they witnessed to all the people they could about the Lord.  After seminary, they moved back to New York State and served the Lord Christ Jesus Christ at Grace Baptist Chapel in Gang Mills, NY.  Soon after, they were called to Addison, NY where they started the Sovereign Grace Baptist Church.  They were then led to Hornell/Howard, NY, where they opened another Sovereign Grace Baptist Church. Al served as the Pastor until he was called in to Glory on May 21, 1991.  Marie continued to teach years of Sunday School well beyond his death.  

After Al’s passing, Marie continued to share the message of her Lord and Savior.  When she wasn’t busy doing something to serve the Lord through the church or spending time with her family, she could be found studiously working on her beloved botanicals.   

At the age of 75, she and her sister began taking formal classes together at Cornell University.  They took weekly classes for years, painting precise watercolor botanicals, which they would then share with loved ones and community members through art shows, direct purchases or just thoughtful gifts.   

Marie also had a gift for writing.  She could be found writing/illustrating children’s books, Vacation Bible School and Sunday School curriculum’s independently and with her daughter Kitty.  She also made time to ensure she sent thank you notes, birthday cards or just little notes letting you know that she is thinking of you.   

Marie is lovingly survived by her sons Chris Earley Blackwell, his wife Ann and their children Andrea Knowles-Skowvron, Colleen (Ed) Blackwell-Deegan and Joshua (Sara) Blackwell; Kim Joseph Blackwell, his wife Joan and their children Shane (Jennifer) Blackwell and Ryan (Rikki) Blackwell.  She is also survived by her daughter (Catherine) Kitty, her husband John Jacobs and their children Heather (Michael) Mooney, Jennifer Jacobs, John (Emily) Jacobs and Calvin Jacobs. Marie was also proud to be the Great Grandmother, or Grandma Great as they called her, to Alex (Samantha) Knowles, Mark Knowles, Faith Skowvron; Haley Blackwell, Karis Blackwell; Robert Deegan, Colin Deegan and Noah Blackwell.   

She is also survived by the dearest group of Christian Friends who are and will always be family! 

The family invites you to celebrate her life on Monday, April 5th at the First Baptist Church in Addison where Marie was a cherished member.  Calling hours will begin at 3pm with the Funeral Service following at 4pm.  The Celebration of Life will be led by Chris Blackwell and Pastor Scott Greene. Burial will at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Towanda, PA at the convenience of the family.  All NYS regulations and guidance relating to COVID, will be followed and maintained. 

One of her favorite scriptures that she would often include in her cards and always quoted with her cherished Skeeter, Philippians 1:3-11:  “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.  For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.  And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” 

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