With deep sadness we announce the passing of Queen Blackwell. Please keep the family in your prayers.  Funeral services have been entrusted to Blackwell-Johnson Memorial Funeral Home at 115 Holderby Street, Reidsville, NC.

Queen Elizabeth Thomas Blackwell peacefully departed this life on October 4, 2025. She was born on September 15,1932, to the late James Arthur Thomas and Ollie Patience Watlington Thomas, and was the eldest of three daughters.

At an early age, Queen accepted Christ as her Lord and personal Savior and was baptized at Rocky  Ridge Missionary Baptist Church, where she remained a faithful and devoted member throughout her  life.

Queen received her education in the Rockingham County Public School System and graduated from  Booker T. Washington High School. She later pursued her passion for caring for others by earning a  nursing certificate from Rockingham County Community College. Queen dedicated many years of  service to Annie Penn Memorial Hospital in Reidsville, NC, where she worked faithfully until her  retirement in 1992.

On January 7, 1950, Queen united in holy matrimony with James Edward Blackwell, and together they were the proud and prayerful parents of twelve children.

Throughout her life, Queen was deeply committed to both her church and her community. She served faithfully in numerous ministries, including the Missionary Board, Usher Board, Nurses Aid Committee, and Senior Choir.

Her faith, compassion, and dedication left a lasting impact on all who knew her.

Queen loved to travel with her family and friends. As the matriarch of the Johnson Family  Reunion, she was adamant that she never wanted to miss a reunion. She spent countless  hours on the phone talking with her friends and family. She treated the neighborhood children as she  treated her own and was loved and respected by everyone who entered her life. The pastor of her  sister's church, Gethsemane Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., warmly accepted her as an honorary  member whenever she visited her sister.

Queen's legacy of faith, love, and service will continue to live on in the hearts of her children,  grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great great-grandchild and all who were blessed to know her. She  leaves behind a family strengthened by her wisdom, compassion, and unwavering devotion. Though  she has gone from this world, her spirit, guidance, and the memories she created will remain a  cherished treasure to all who loved her. Queen Elizabeth Thomas Blackwell will be deeply missed,  but her life serves as a shining example of love, dedication, and grace.

Queen's parents, husband and sister and brother in law Ada Virginia Thomas (William Armstead  Wood) proceeded her in death along with her children: Thomas Blackwell, Mary Blackwell, Michael Blackwell, Willie Leroy Blackwell, Gary Edward Blackwell, Wanda Jean Blackwell,  Gerald D. Blackwell, Charles I. Blackwell and Marlin E. Blackwell Sr.

Left to cherish her memory are: sisters Ollie Mae Thomas, Dotsy Watlington Cobb (Bernard),  daughters Gail L. Blackwell and Tonya D. Blackwell, daughter in law Patricia Howard  Blackwell, sons Kevin B. Blackwell and Daryl L. Blackwell Sr, grandchildren: Gary P.  Blackwell, Frenchie L. Blackwell, Joel Atwater, Joseph Atwater, Eric D. Blackwell, LaTosha Howard Jones (Walter), Ashley Blackwell Armstead (Domique), Marlin E Blackwell Jr, I. Kenta  Buchanan, Paris L. Blackwell, Spencia Fleming, Kaelisa A. Lane, Daryl L. Blackwell Jr, 12  great grandchildren and 1 great great-grandchild, nieces Andrea Thomas Narain and Carnelia  "Cee Cee" Jackson, nephew LeRoy "Lee Lee" Blackwell III, great nephew Andreus D. Narain  (Charmaine), 1 great-great nephew, 2 great-great nieces, close friends Evelyn King, Juanita  King, Jean M. Pickard, Frankie and Earlene Galloway and Garfield and Lydia Withers and  countless family members and friends.