Mrs. Dixie Blackwood

A celebration of the life of Dixie Pool Blackwood, 96, of Henderson will be held at 10 am Wednesday, December 11, 2013 in the First Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. David Higgs and Reverend Bill Tisdale officiating, under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the service on Wednesday in the parlor at the church. Mrs. Blackwood passed from her earthly life on December 7, 2013. The youngest of twelve children, she was born to Ethel Irene (Yandle) and Joseph Dixie Pool of the Church Hill community in Rusk County. Married to John Calvin (Jake) Blackwood on Easter Sunday, 1938, she was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother; a devout Christian and a faithful friend who lived her life in service to others. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Henderson, Texas, for almost 60 years and a member of the (Sunday school class name) at the time of her death. Recognized as a gifted cook, she was at her happiest preparing food for friends and family. Mrs. Blackwood was employed by Safeway for 17 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter (Beverly Blackwood McAlister) and eleven siblings. Having lost her mother at the age of two, she was reared by her beloved sister the late Vennie Pool Brown Crim. Mrs. Blackwood is survived by her son, John Barry Blackwood and wife Sharon of Little Rock, Arkansas; son-in-law Nathan McAlister and wife Linda of Longview; grandchildren Jeffrey McAlister also of Longview; Lisa McAlister Reedy and husband Duke of Reno, Nevada; Jennifer Blackwood Esty and husband Wade of Fayetteville, Arkansas and great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Oliver Esty and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express its appreciation to those friends and relatives who provided the love and support that made it possible for Dixie to maintain her independence throughout the last years of her life with special gratitude to Dolores Winfrey, Marie Sullivan and Mildred Sadler. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church of Henderson, Texas at 207 West Main St., Henderson TX 75652 and/or the charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com

Mrs. Dixie Blackwood

September 4, 1917 - December 7, 2013