Maxine Blackwell,
1935-2002
Tribute to a beautiful,
devoted Christian lady 

LONGVIEW, Texas—Maxine Blackwell, 67, wife of Dean Blackwell, longtime minister and Ambassador College faculty member, died peacefully of ovarian cancer at 4:25 p.m., Dec. 13, at the home of her daughter, Bonnie Hackman, in Houston, Texas. Her family was with her when she died, and she was not in a lot of pain at the time. She just went to sleep and did not wake up.

Dean and Maxine would have celebrated their 50th anniversary June 16. They had a full and joyous life together.

A memorial service in honor of Maxine’s memory took place Sunday, Dec. 22, in Big Sandy, Texas, at New Beginnings Christian Fellowship, the WCG congregation in Big Sandy. Attendees included Pastor General Joseph Tkach.

Lowell Blackwell, a retired minister in the Springfield, Missouri, church, said: "Maxine and my wife, Margaret, were best friends from about 11 years old and she is missed very much. We are thankful for being able to spend four days with her before she died. We reminisced, prayed, laughed and let her go to a better place and time with our Savior."

Maxine is survived by her husband, Dean; her mother, Florence Tankersley; her sister, Janet Kirby, and her husband, Jim; daughters Rhonda Massey and her husband, Preston; Bonnie Hackman and her husband, Neil; a son, Jeff and his wife, Pat; grandsons Brent and Brian Hackman; and Jordan Martz; a granddaughter, Michelle Massey; three brothers-in-law and their wives, Lowell and Margaret Blackwell, Tom Blackwell, and Mike and Carol Blackwell; one sister-in-law, Bonnie Hughes; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Gina Martz.

Maxine Tankersley Blackwell was born May 2, 1935, in Providence, Oklahoma. She grew up in East Texas and attended Sabine High School, near Kilgore, where she was a cheerleader, played tennis and volleyball, and was active in school government.

She graduated and married Dean in 1953 in the first wedding conducted in the meeting facility on the church property in Big Sandy. They lived in Pasadena and attended Ambassador College in 1953-1954. After Dean’s graduation in 1954, they moved to Eugene, Oregon, where they began their 20-plus years pastoring field churches. Dean then served on the faculty of the Ambassador College campuses in Big Sandy and Pasadena until 1995.

Dean and Maxine lived in the Philippines in 1985, while Dean taught pastors there. Maxine attended the classes and was the first one to receive a diploma on completion.

Maxine was an inspiration to friends and a confidante of many women in the church and ministry. She will be remembered by members for her love of God and devotion as a wife and mother, for her unselfish giving of her time, of her hospitality and graciousness and ever-ready smile.

She traveled with her family all over the world but especially enjoyed her home in Longview, Texas, surrounded by family and friends.

In our home, things were always supremely organized. Household chores were done on a weekly schedule. I loved to take her to a good movie where we held hands and ate popcorn and relaxed. We went to the library weekly, and had lunch out regularly with our children.

In the wee hours of the morning in the hospital, I would hear her sweet, soft voice singing our childhood song: "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong, they are weak but HE is strong. Yes, JESUS loves me, Yes, Jesus LOVES me. Yes, Jesus Loves ME, the Bible tells me so!" I would join in with her.

Maxine was like a beautiful little butterfly in the Longview church, flitting from flower to flower with her hugs and warm greetings. She will be greatly missed!

Susan Booze, wife of Pastor Mike Booze, said: "Maxine was kind-hearted, humble, loving and easy to talk with."

As a wife she was always supportive. She had good horse-sense, inborn humor and life, and her deep blue beautiful eyes sparkled and reflected her character. She was an avid reader, and was well-informed. She was a thrifty person, excellent shopper and the world’s greatest in packing for a trip. In biblical words, she was meek and quiet-spirited, which in God’s sight is of great price.

Copyright © Grace Communion International, 2003