Services for Mrs. Hollie “Berniece” Blackburn, 93, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 12, 2012, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel in Nacogdoches with the Rev. Maurice D. Millican officiating. Interment will follow at McKnight Cemetery in Cushing.
Visitation with the family will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 11, at Cason Monk-Metcalf, 5400 North Street, Nacogdoches.
Hollie “Berniece” Blackburn, formerly of Cushing and Houston, died October 7, 2012, in Nacogdoches, where she had resided for the past ten years. She was born February 26, 1919, to George Washington and Elsie Whitaker Nichols in rural Cushing and graduated from Cushing High School in 1937. She married Ephraim Scott Blackburn on November 12, 1938. Their first three children were born in Sacul before the family moved to Houston during World War II where they made their permanent home and two more children were born.
She enjoyed caring for her home and family. She never missed a family reunion or the McKnight Homecoming as she cherished her large family. She faithfully served in her church throughout her life. She was Pentecostal and a member in Houston of The Irvington Pentecostal Church since 1968. She loved the old hymns of Christianity and studied the Bible reading completely through in one year.
She was active in her home in Houston sewing and quilting for her customers. She also gifted every child and grandchild with quilts on special occasions, the last being baby quilts for twin great-grandsons.
She also had an ongoing interest in genealogy, a pursuit shared with her husband, in charting lineages and collecting photos. Their collection was of great benefit in producing the McKnight Cemetery Commemorative Record. She had also participated in her young children’s PTA. Her memory and wit were sharp. She enjoyed reading the newspapers, crosswords, and historical novels. While in assisted living and the nursing home, she relished visits from family and friends, playing bingo, and sing-alongs.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ephraim Blackburn, in 1992; parents, George and Elsie Nichols; parents-in-law, Lonnie and Verdahlia Blackburn; infant sister, Mary Adelle Nichols; son, Lowell Blackburn; great-grandchildren, Michael Paul and Patty Jo Blackburn; sister, Helene Johnston; and brothers, Haward Nichols and Hall Nichols.
Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Ann Millican of Cushing, Bonnie and John Kaminsky of Phoenix, Arizona, and Naomi and Tony Chance of Plantersville; son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Judy Blackburn of Tomball; daughter-in-law, Mary Catherine Blackburn of Houston; brothers and sister-in-law, Herbert and Vera Nichols and Lester Ray Nichols, all of Cushing; sisters-in-law, Audrey Baldwin of Cushing, Betty Blackburn of Mineral Wells, Dorothy Nichols of Cushing, and Mary Nichols of Irving; grandchildren, Michael Blackburn and wife Carol of Humble, Jessica Cochrane and husband Steve of Cushing, Maurice Millican and wife Linda of Fort Hood, Daniel Millican of Huntsville, Arkansas, Brett Millican and wife Leslie of Chesapeake, Virginia, Dale Calvery and wife Laura of Niceville, Florida, Wendy Owens and husband Scooter of Houston, Ashley Blackburn and husband Shannon Fowler of Spring, Courtney Blackburn and wife Jacquelyn of Spring, Kelly Robles and husband Jason of Tomball, Amanda Bohack and husband Wayne of Willis, and Cheryl Hartner and husband Craig of Montgomery; and numerous great-grandchildren, cousins, in-laws, nephews, nieces, and other extended family as well as a host of friends.
Pallbearers will be Michael Blackburn, Dale Calvery, Daniel Millican, Brett Millican, Courtney Blackburn, Peter Millican, Jake Owens, and C.J. Cochrane.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the caregivers at Westward Trails for the loving care during the past few years of her life.
Arrangements are under the direction of T.A. Lane & Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches. Memories and condolences may be offered online at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.
