Mary Frances Blackwell Obituary

Mary Frances "Virginia" Cornelius Blackwell, 90, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2025.

She was born on July 23, 1934, in Jasper, Alabama. At the tender age of 15, she married her husband, Pete Leon Blackwell, and they had just celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary when he passed away in 2007. Together, they built a wonderful life. They loved having a large family, with their 7 daughters and 1 son. They never turned away a stray and had a wide variety of beloved pets throughout the years. A natural born nurturer, Virginia was a loving mother and grandmother, who enjoyed spoiling everyone with her Southern cooking. In her later years, she spoke of how blessed she felt to see several of her great and great-great grandchildren born; her face lit up every time she got to hold and cuddle any of the babies. Her family, many lifelong friends, and her pets were everything to her and she loved them all dearly. Anytime Pete had vacation time, they loved to travel and see as much of the country (and their extended family members along the way) as they could.

Virginia was preceded in death by her father, John Cornelius; her parents, Clayton Lay and Madge Lou West; her beloved husband, Pete Leon Blackwell; her daughters, Angie Virginia Stone, Rita Ann Hoobler, Sandra Pamela Blackwell, Nina Jean Wallace, and Bonnie Kaye Laster; her son, Ronnie Leon Blackwell; her grandsons, Christopher Michael Hoobler and Marty Adam Wallace; and granddaughter, Shyann Blackwell.

She is survived by two daughters, Bonita Carol Evans (Arthur Lee "Al") of Boligee, AL, and Connie Faye Blackwell (Raymundo Hernandez) of Jasper, AL; two sisters, Shirley Ruth Lay Burlingame of FL, and Doris Jewel Lay Stephenson of (FL. Grandchildren, Chad Jerome Brown (Andrea) of Irondale, AL; Angie Erin Turman of Laramie, WY; Amanda Leigh Stone (Phillip) of Hillsborough, NC; Jonathan Harrison Stone (Jennifer) of Southaven, MS; Bryan William Hoobler (Brandi) of Jasper, AL; Alisha Blackwell Cain of Jasper, AL; Amber Blackwell Busby (Brent) of Jasper, AL; Brandy Carol Holmes (Ronnie) of Tuscaloosa, AL; James Kenneth Lynn, Jr. (Giddel) of Northport, AL; Ashley Wallace Hallman of (Jasper, AL); Brittany Kaye Harris of Jasper, AL; Breanna Evans Rogers (Bailey) of Lake Charles, LA; and William Shady Laster of Farmerville, LA. Virginia is also survived by 28 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Collins-Burke Funeral Home has been entrusted with her funeral arrangements. Visitation will be held Sunday, February 9, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m. at 303 Oakhill Road, Jasper, Alabama. Burial will follow at Old Bennett Cemetery in Jasper, Alabama.

Pallbearers will be Bryan Hoobler, James Lynn, Jr., Bailey Rogers, Jerry Lindsey, Danny Fey, Raymondo Hernandez.