Mardell Jean Blackwell

Mardell Jean Blackwell passed away in Ridgeland, Mississippi on April 30, 2012. She was born on February 15, 1925, in Terre Haute and had been a resident at The Orchard in Ridgeland for the past five years. She previously resided in Terre Haute and Sun City Center, FL. Mardell was married to Mark A. Blackwell for fifty-nine years before he died in 2004. Mardell was raised and grew up in Terre Haute. She married her high school sweetheart, Mark, following her high school graduation and prior to his deployment into the U.S. Marine Corps. She spent her life raising and caring for her four boys and for the past forty years loving and enjoying her ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her four sons: Alan (wife Cathy) of Pendleton, IN; Michael (wife mary) of Ridgeland, MS; Richard (wife Linda) of Gainesville, VA; and Charles of Spring, TX. She is also survived by two sisters, Roeana Markle of Sun City Center, FL and Wilma Bookless of Chicago, IL; and her brother-in-law James Blackwell of Jacksonville, FL and a sister-in-law Claire Whaley of Bellaire, TX.

The family would like to offer their gratitude to Avanna Jorday, Dorothy Walker, and Ouida Davis for providing their love and care for the last six months.

Visitation will be held at Roselawn Funeral Home on Saturday, May 12 from 1 – 2 p.m. A funeral ceremony will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 12 at the funeral home with Pastor Kyle Andrews officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either The Orchard Care of Ridgeland, MS or to Hospice Ministries of Ridgeland, MS. Online condolences may be made at www.roselawnfuneralhome.net