Obituary – Hettie Blackwell

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HETTIE JUANITA LAYFIELD BLACKWELL

Hettie Juanita (Nita) Layfield Blackwell was born Feb. 26, 1941, in Abe Springs. She was the daughter of Leroy and Rosie (Roberts) Layfield. She was one of nine children and graduated from Frink school. Her Senior year she was the Yearbook editor, class secretary, FHA President, Girls Chorus President, was also a member of the 4-H, library club and participated in the senior play. In both her Junior and Senior years at school she was voted best in sports and voted as the friendliest. She loved to dance and taught her sisters all the right moves, she had those girls doing the twist, Charleston, waltz and even attempted to teach them to clog. Nita also loved to drive a tractor and helped plow fields on her family’s land.

Nita met the love of her life Gareld Nelson (Tom) Blackwell while working at Pope’s Marina in Blountstown. Once he had won her over, they were married in 1963. They had three daughters that all have a combination of their personalities which made for an interesting 59 years of marriage.

Among her many talents she found time to work in the Port St Joe High School cafeteria and was the Abe Springs Pentecostal Church secretary for years. She loved growing and receiving flowers, some of which loved her back some that did not fair so well. She enjoyed doing yard work, which at 81 years old was pretty phenomenal. She would wield an axe to cut a tree stump because it looked ugly and needed to go. She was an excellent seamstress, sewing anything from simple skirts and dresses to prom dresses and even made a few wedding dresses. She had begun making artwork and her family will treasure each and every unique piece she created.

Nita was very humble woman and everyone’s rock. She was the best listener and best secret keeper. You could lay your burdens on her shoulder even if her own shoulders were heavy themselves. She was the center and glue of her family growing up and the absolute center of her husband and daughter’s world. She was the kindest and sweetest person and would do anything for you, just don’t make her use that “ Niter eyebrow” and that “Niter Eye” and if you heard your middle name being called you knew that eyebrow was up even before turning around!! She was her daughter’s best friend in life and the absolute love of her husband’s life.

She is Survived by Gareld (Tom) Blackwell; two daughters Michelle Ward-(Michael) of Altha and Tammie Salonen (Jani) of Yulee; one step son Harry Blackwell (Mary) of Blountstown; one step daughter, Cathy Hall (Jesse) of Blountstown; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and her beloved Shorkie HeyHey; Her Surviving siblings Carolyn Carroll and Linda Lolley both of Clarksville, Jimmy Layfield of Kinard, Earlene Bishop and Elizabeth Osborne both of Blountstown, and Myrtle Young of Clarksville.

She is preceded in death by her parents Leroy Layfield and Rosie Roberts Layfield, Brother Tommy Layfield, brother R.L Layfield and Daughter Tina Marie Blackwell.

Services to honor and to celebrate Nita’s life will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at Adams Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Dustin Malphurs officiating. Interment will follow in Poplar Head Baptist Church Cemetery in Clarksville.

Adams Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.