Connie M. Blackwell, 91, of Mechanicsburg, PA, passed away on Sunday, November 05, 2023 .
Born February 14, 1932 in Henderson County NC, to the late Thomas Ewart and Pearl Bane Blackwell Sr.
In addition to her parents, Connie was preceded in death by one son, Glenn Henderson, three sisters, Lois Blackwell Sherman, Carolyn Blackwell Bradley and Frances Blackwell Pace and one brother, Thomas Ewart Blackwell Jr.
Connie was a graduate of Dana High School, Dana, NC and Wesleyan Methodist College, Central, SC. She was a well-known pianist in Southern Gospel Music circles. She served as editor of the weekly newspapers, The Citizen and The CitiSun, Las Cruces, NM. She did press secretary work in Washington, DC for US Representative Ed Foreman of Las Cruces, NM and US Representative Roy Taylor of Asheville, NC. She was a reporter and state editor for the Asheville Times and the Asheville Citizen. She was also a police reporter and feature writer for the Patriot, Harrisburg, PA, before becoming editor of the Features Department for the Harrisburg Patriot-News. She edited and was a ghostwriter of books for evangelical and charismatic ministries and publishing houses, including the original draft of football legend Rosey Grier’s autobiography, “Gentle Giant”. During that time, she co-founded and co-pastored Living Stone Churches, Inc with congregations in Oklahoma and Oregon.
Connie is survived by two daughters, Elaine Henderson of Mechanicsburg, PA and Cathy Stepp of Flat Rock, NC, one son, Michael Henderson of Lafayette, CO, two grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Private burial will be held at the Dana United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the Blackwell family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or C/O Jackson Funeral Service 1101 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Please include the name of the deceased on the condolence.