Jessie Blackwell

Benjamin Funeral Service - Nowata, OKlahoma........Jessie Lea (Reed) Blackwell passed from this life, April 27, 2015. She was the youngest child born to Amos Leroy and Mable Amanda (Harney) Reed of Nowata County. She spent her growing up years on Coody's Bluff. Jessie attended school in Alluwe, and graduated from Nowata High School. She also attended business college in Bartlesville, after which she took a job at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City. In July of 1941 Jessie was married to Don Blackwell, the love of her life. Don enlisted in the US Navy after Pearl Harbor was bombed, later that same year. When Don returned home from the war, the couple began laying the ground work for what was to become Blackwell Ranch. They later expanded the business to include a ranch in Craig County. Jessie worked as the Selective Service Agent for Nowata County for many years. It was a job she loved very much. Three months after moving into the new home they built on the ranch, their daughter, Margie was born. When Margie was in high school, Jessie became a teacher's aide at the school, and later a secretary to Superintendent, Glenn C. Moore. Jessie and Don continued the ranching operation until Don's death in 1981. Since that time, Jessie has continued to live on the ranch and manage its operation. In 1998, Jessie married Hubert Jackson, who passed in 2005. Preceding Jessie in death were her parents, brothers, Charlie Reed and James L. (Bud) Reed, and her sister Jaunita Richardson. Jessie is survived by her daughter, Margie and son-in-law, Wayne Learned of Nowata. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Ida Belle Reed, nieces, Joan Breshears and Jane Bliss, nephews, Dr. Jim Reed and John Richardson. She was very close to them all and loved them like her own children. Additionally, she is survived by her dear friend, Janet Mayhew, who she claimed as her "other daughter". Jessie was a charter member of Hillside Christian Church where she taught Sunday School , Vacation Bible School, and served on the finance committee for many years. She has been a member of the Richardson Foundation since its inception. Jessie said numerable times what a wonderfully happy life she had. She truly lived it with joy. She loved her family, and her friends. She will be missed, our hearts are broken, but we all know that she is "gracing heaven". Services are scheduled for 10:00 AM, Saturday, May 2, 2015 at the Central Church of Christ on Pecan Street with Ben Killion officiating. Interment will follow at Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Benjamin Funeral Service.

Visitation Details

Thursday, April 30th, 2015 5:00pm - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Friday, May 1st, 2015 8:00am - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Service Details

Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 10:00am, Central Church of Christ

Interment Details

Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery