Ernest Naomi "Ernie" (Tucker) Blackwell

Ernest Naomi “Ernie” Blackwell, one of six children born to the union of the late Charlie and Nora (Parson) Tucker, was born March 2, 1919 in Richland, Missouri. She went home to be with her Lord the evening of August 25, 2009, surrounded by her loving family, at Lee’s Summit Medical Center, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, at the age of 90 years, 5 months and 23 days. Ernie grew up and attended school in Richland, where she graduated from high school with the Class of 1937. After graduation, Ernie took a job at the Richland Post Office for a few years before going to work at the rail transportation office at the newly constructed Army post, Fort Leonard Wood. On November 23, 1942, Ernie married Marvin Blackwell. Ernie said it was a Monday and they were married at J.O. Brown’s home. They got married before Marvin left to serve his country in WWII. Marvin preceded her in death on April 18, 2003. Marvin and Ernie moved to Kansas City in the late 1940’s, where Marvin went to work for the Ford Motor Company, and Ernie went to work at First National Bank. After several years of employment with the bank, Ernie took a position with the Kelly Temporary Services Company, which allowed her to work in many different offices in the Kansas City area. In 1994, Marvin and Ernie retired and moved back to Richland where they made their home for the remainder of their days. Ernie accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior when she was a young girl. She was baptized on a cold November day, in the very cold Gasconade River. She was a long time, faithful member of First Baptist Church in Richland. During the many years the Blackwell’s lived in Kansas City, they attended the Broadway Baptist and Bethany Baptist Churches. Ernie taught teenagers’ Sunday School classes for over 50 years. Ernie enjoyed reading, quilting and shopping, but most of all she enjoyed the time she spent with family and friends. Ernie was dearly loved, and will be very sadly missed by her daughter: Sondra Battaglia and husband, Anthony, of Georgetown, Kentucky; three grandchildren: Toni Conti and husband, Phil, of Lee’s Summit, and Sam Battaglia and wife, Tammy, and Joann Sullivan and husband, Tom, all of Georgetown, Kentucky; four great granddaughters: Ginnifer, Samantha, Tiffany and Caitlin, (and one on the way), several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and her husband, Ernie was preceded in death by four brothers: a stillborn baby, Walter, Reed, and Aidren Tucker, and her sister, Mary Lou Smith. Funeral services were held at 1:00 P.M., Friday, August 28, 2009 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Richland with Dr. Robert A. Lilly officiating. Pianist Marleen Brown accompanied Soloist Georgia White as she sang “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” and “In the Garden”. Serving as pallbearers were Phil Counti, Tom Sullivan, Sam Battaglia, Greg Dougan and Eddie Howlett. Burial followed in the Oaklawn Cemetery of Richland. Online condolences may be left at www.memorialchapelsandcrematory.com

Ernest Naomi "Ernie" (Tucker) Blackwell

March 2, 1919 - August 25, 2009