Ila Blackwell

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Ila Margaret (Rogers) Blackwell was born January 14, 1925 in Belen, Mississippi, and died July 2, 2016 in Conway, Arkansas. Her parents were the late Ila Gail (Webb) Rogers and Frank Anderson Rogers. A graduate of Blytheville High School and Texas Woman's University, Mrs. Blackwell went on to earn her Master's degree in education from Arkansas State University. She began her teaching career at Fairview Elementary School in Blytheville, Arkansas and was principal of Fairview at the time of her retirement. As a teacher, she shared with students her love of the Razorbacks and St. Louis Cardinals, but most importantly to recognize and have belief in their own strengths and talents. The impact she had on the lives of students and her love of teaching them may best be described in the words of Henry Adams​: "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." Life before marriage and teaching included growing up on Clear Lake Farm, attending for a brief time a one-room school, riding horses, and taking part in the outdoor sport activities of her older brothers and their friends. At the age of 21, she took flying lessons, learning to fly a single engine plane. She used her degree in journalism to work for a short time at the Blytheville Courier News. After retirement, Ila moved to Little Rock, Arkansas where she, along with her dear friend the late B.J. Anderson, kept busy attending Razorback games, discovering new restaurants, traveling and doting on canine family members, Hobo and Tramp, and later, Dahli and Pauli. An avid reader of all genres, especially detective and mystery novels, Ila shared her love of reading with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Every visit included a trip to the bookstore for new reading material. Although born in 1925, she was a tech savvy grandmother amazing her family by embracing the advancement of technology using the internet and current devices well into her late 80's. Mrs. Blackwell's children and grandchildren treasure the life lessons and experiences she blessed them all with and will keep her memory alive by passing her life stories along to current and future great grandchildren.

Also preceding her in death were her sister, Beth Ferguson; and brothers, Frank A. Rogers and James Rogers.

Survivors include her daughter Gail Kinnaird, son Jay Blackwell and wife Londa, daughter Suzanne Gee and husband E.B. III;

Grandchildren Emily Kinnaird, Jarrod Kinnaird, Jason Blackwell, Lauren Spradlin (Josh), Alissa Huberty (David), Mary Blevins (Jared), and Audrey Harris;

Great-grandchildren Kai and Sophie Spradlin, Ana, Seth and Cable Owen, and Nathan Blevins.

Nieces, nephews, and their families also survive her.

A graveside service is scheduled for Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 9:00 A.M at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Conway, Arkansas.

Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway