Elsie M. Blackwood

Elsie M. Blackwood

Elsie M. Blackwood died February 9, 2010, in Tarboro, North Carolina, after a short illness. She was born August 14, 1922, in Rector, Arkansas, to the late Willard and Ruth Copeland McGinnis of Rector.

Elsie was descended from one of the founding families of Rector, Richard Henry Copeland and wife Sarah Jane Gentry. Elsie was predeceased by her husband, W. Wilson Blackwood, son of the late Dr. Walter J. and Mrs. Pearl Ashbaugh Blackwood of Rector. Also predeceasing her were seven brothers and one sister.

She is survived by her four children, Barbara Bricks of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Dana Blackwood of Tarboro, Janot Prior of Sugar Land, Texas, and John Blackwood of Warrenton, Missouri. Elsie also is survived by seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one brother, two sisters and numerous favorite nieces and nephews.

Elsie began her first career at age 18, working as a beautician at a shop in downtown Rector that was owned by her sister, the late Aileen McGinnis Gatewood McCord. Aileen and brother Cecil McGinnis lived their entire lives in Rector until their deaths last year. In the 1950s, Elsie owned her own beauty shop in Batesville, Arkansas. Elsie also worked in food services, as a director of a Memphis high school cafeteria and as owner of restaurants in Memphis, Blytheville, Arkansas, and Warrenton, Missouri.

In her 70s, Elsie moved to Sikeston, Mo., where she volunteered at the Sikeston Senior Center, helping with food preparation and serving lunches to seniors. After two weeks, she was asked to take on the job as paid director of the kitchen services, a position she held for a number of years. While in Sikeston, Elsie reconnected with her dear cousin, Lucille Copeland Martin, and they developed a loving friendship that lasted until the day Elsie died.

When she was younger, Elsie was an avid golfer and bowler. Throughout her life, she enjoyed sewing, quilting, reading, playing cards, gardening and cooking. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, teaching Sunday School for many years and taking an active role in all of the congregations of which she was a member. As recently as November, she prepared a dinner of chicken and dumplings for 150 people at her church and received rave reviews.

A memorial service was held at St. James United Methodist Church in Tarboro at 1 p.m. Monday, February 15. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. James United Methodist Church, 211 East St. James Street, Tarboro, North Carolina 27886.

A graveside service for interment of ashes will take place in Rector, Arkansas, in the spring.