Nancy Christene (Matthews) Blackwell, 72, of Brookshire, Texas and believer of Jesus Christ went to Heaven on July 19, 2022.

She was born in Livingston, Texas, on August 23, 1949 to Johnnie "Inez" (Heddins) and Joseph Hackley "Hack" Matthews. Nancy graduated from Livingston High School in 1967 and went on to earn a degree in elementary education specializing in early childhood education at the University of Houston before earning her master's degree from Prairie View A&M. Nancy married her love, Robert Blackwell in 1974 and they supported one another in sickness and health for 43 years before his passing in 2017.

Nancy found great pride in teaching. She taught pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade in several school districts before finishing her career at Pattinson Elementary in the Royal Independent School District of Brookshire. She dedicated her life to her students and eventually taught the children of her former students. Watching her students achieve their goals brought her great joy. She enjoyed teaching through play, reading and music. Nancy shared this love with her nieces and nephews as well as her students. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching music in the early childhood department for one year. She enjoyed singing and shared many fond memories from this teaching experience over the years. Nancy was an avid reader and enjoyed reading across many authors and genres. She prized her embroidery work and made treasured pieces for her great nephews. The library is home to one of her works; a nursery rhyme quilt hangs in the library's children's book area. Nancy was an animal lover. Her dogs were important and deeply loved members of her family.

Nancy is survived by her elder sister, Patricia Matthews Winslow and her husband Dean of Porter as well as her younger sister, Judith Matthews Malone of Cypress. Nancy leaves behind many nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and great nephews who will miss her dearly.

Graveside service and interment will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, July 23 at Center Grove Cemetery in Polk County, and officiated by Chaplan Kenneth Faust.