Madelyn Blackwell

Madelyn Blackwell, age 54, died Wednesday, April 08, 2015 at her home in Madison. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 10 at 2:00pm at St. Matthews United Methodist Church with Rev. Kim Parker officiating. Burial will follow in Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, MS. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 9 from 5:00 to 7:00pm, and Friday, April 10 from 1:00 to 2:00pm at St. Matthews United Methodist Church.

Madelyn was born May 17, 1960 to Earl and Estelle Blackwell. She graduated from Callaway High School in 1981, and was an employee of Goodwill Industries and Willowood Development Center until her retirement. Madelyn spent her childhood as a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Jackson, and she was a proud charter member of St. Matthews United Methodist Church in Madison. Madelyn especially loved the children of St. Matthews. She served as Mrs. Tommye Martin’s assistant in the children’s ministry of St. Matthews and as a 3 year old Sunday school teacher with Donna Myers for many years.

Madelyn lived a life defined by the unconditional love she gave and received. She loved her family, her friends, and the many church groups she was grateful to be a part of. She was an active member of HARC and Ruby Bryant’s Ministry at Calvary Baptist Church. She enjoyed traveling all over the South with the REACH program of St. Richard Catholic Church and performed in many area churches as part of the Mustard Seed Bell Choir.

Madelyn’s life shaped a generation of special needs children in the Jackson Area. She touched everyone she knew, and taught us all how to persevere with grace in the face of adversity.

Madelyn was preceded in death by her father, Earl Blackwell, her grandparents, and her best friend, Margie "Angel Lady" Horn. Survivors include her mother, Estelle Blackwell; sister Marcia Blackwell Barrow and husband Bill of Madison; niece Sarah Barrow and nephew Joseph Barrow of Madison.

The family would like to thank her devoted caregivers; Bea Brown, Ella Bullock, Julia Luckett, Denise Necodemus, Eddie Mae Jones, Delores Otto and Lakeisha Shepard. They would also like to thank Sta-Home Health and Hospice for their amazing care and support. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to SON Valley, PO Box 406, Canton, MS 39046 or Christ’s Cupboard at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church.