Funeral services for Verna Maye (Hall) Blackwell, 91, of Early will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, February 11 at Heartland Funeral Home with Alvis Fisher and Dallas Huston officiating. Interment will follow in Eastlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, Sunday at Heartland Funeral Home. She passed away Friday, February 8, 2013 in Brownwood.
Verna Maye was born March 2, 1921 in Blanket, Texas to Joe M. and Lou Ava Hall. Verna Maye graduated from Blanket High School. Her love of music and singing guided her to the Stamps-Baxter School of Music. She then traveled with the Stamps Quartet playing the piano. On March 10, 1940, Verna Maye was married to the love of her life, T.W. “Mutt” Blackwell. They were lifelong residents of Brown County and resided most of their life in Early.
For many years she taught children P.E. at Northwest Elementary. Verna Maye loved being around children and was in her element at school. Verna Maye and Mutt were dedicated supporters of Early Booster Club. Their three sons attended Early schools and were all-around athletes. If their boys were playing, you could count on Verna Maye and Mutt being there. During this time, Verna Maye was a mainstay in the PTA working countless hours on Fall Festivals and anything that needed done. Anyone that knew Verna Maye, knew she was a sports enthusiast. She loved watching her Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Cowboys, and Texas Rangers. She was a loyal supporter of the Brownwood Lions and her beloved Early Longhorns.
Among her many activities she served as an election judge in Early and volunteered her time supporting the Early Lions Club of which Mutt was a charter member. If you listened to the morning radio show in recent years, you probably heard Verna Maye’s name mentioned a time or two in birthday and anniversary wishes to her countless friends, neighbors, and relatives. Verna Maye was a wonderful lady and never knew a stranger. If you met her, you would never forget her. Verna Maye had a motto that reflected her Christian spirit: “Believe in God, Be Happy, Help Others, Believe in Myself.” Verna Maye was a life-long member of Brady Avenue Church of Christ.
Survivors include her three sons: Tom Blackwell and wife Elaine of Lake Kiowa; Lance Blackwell and wife Mary Lynn of Brownwood; Gary Mack Blackwell and wife Stacie of Inez. Her grandchildren are: Toni Dozier and husband Kevin of Gainesville; Scott Blackwell and Amy of Collinsville; Hilton Blackwell and wife Sarah of San Angelo; Hillary Freeman and husband Grant of Comanche; Chris Blackwell and wife Jessica of San Diego, California; Sarah Blackwell Rendon and husband Eric of Victoria; Delwyn and Parker Blackwell of Inez. She has ten great-grandchildren: Melanie Dozier, Bryce Dozier, Joey Bryant, Shelby Blackwell, Jordan Freeman, Jaxson Freeman, Aiden Blackwell, Kaylee Blackwell, Ayden Rendon, and Bentley Rendon.
She is preceded in death by her husband, T.W. “Mutt” Blackwell; parents, Joe and Lou Ava Hall; three sisters and brother-in-laws, Eunice Douglas and husband Lynn; Vada Williams and husband Rex; Jessie Jo Gore and husband Earl.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Early Lions Club or Cherokee Home for Children.
Friends are invited to sign the guestbook at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
