Jessie Kathryn Blackwell
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Miss Jessie Kathryn Blackwell, 93, formerly a resident of Foley Street, Bridgeport, passed away Sunday morning, June 11, 2006, in the Meadowview Manor Nursing Home following an brief illness. She was born in Bridgeport on January 24, 1913, the youngest daughter of the late Thomas Foley Blackwell, Sr., and Bessie L. Whitehair Blackwell.
Miss Blackwell is survived by several nieces and nephews, their spouses and families. Her nephews include David H. Blackwell and his wife Nancy, Nelson E. Moore and his wife Wilma, Richard “Dick” Moore and his wife Ruth, Jerry R. Moore and his wife Virginia, Paul G. Blackwell, II and his wife Pat, and one great-nephew David R. Richards and his wife Claudia. Her nieces include Carole Hancock Rowlison and her husband Bill, Betty Blackwell Pinella, Sylvia Moore Wilson and her husband Arthur and Sharon Moore Gillespie and her husband Ronnie.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by five brothers Edgar A., Markwood H., Paul G., John F. and Thomas F. Blackwell; two sisters Bonnie M. Hancock and Nellie Moore; her beloved nieces Bonnie Jean Hancock Richards Smith and Rosalie Blackwell; and her nephew Edgar J. Blackwell, Jr.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Miss Blackwell graduated as the class Valedictorian of Bridgeport Union High School in 1932 and attended Salem College. She then stayed at home to provide care throughout her mother’s final illness and did not seek outside employment until 1942 when she became the Auction Clerk at the Bridgeport Livestock Sales. She was employed for 30 ½ years at Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co., Works #12 from 1944 through 1974, only retiring when the plant closed after 58 years of production in this area.
She was a member of the Bridgeport United Methodist Church, the former Wesleyan Service Guild, the United Methodist Women and served as Sunday School Secretary for over 20 years. She was a charter member of the Bridgeport Senior Citizens Satellite and a member of the Harrison County Senior Citizens Center.
Her interests were many and included crafts, gardening and oil painting. Miss Blackwell was particularly interested in Bridgeport history and assembled several books that provided a unique perspective of the growth of the city. The books include many photographs and anecdotes she recalled during her growing years that were related to her by her older relatives and friends.
Friends will be received at Burnside Funeral Home 607 S. Virginia Ave., Bridgeport from 2-4 & 7-9 PM Tuesday, June 13, 2006, where a funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 AM Wednesday with Reverend Steven E. Dorsey presiding. Interment will follow in the Bridgeport Cemetery.
