Barbara Blackwell

Barbara Jo "Joey" Blackwell, 66, of 1710-A Malone Road, Burlington, passed away on Monday, November 13th, after a 4-year battle with ovarian cancer, the past 11 weeks critical. Joey amazed her doctors and caregivers with her indomitable spirit, good nature and her will to live. All who knew her during her journey commented that they had never seen a patient fight so hard with such a positive attitude and good humor.
Born in Burlington, Joey was the daughter of Robert Irving Blackwell and Barbara Terrell Blackwell. The second of five children, she was the sister of Susan Elaine Blackwell, Vanessa Ellen Blackwell, Carrie Lynn Blackwell-Moricle (Rob) and Charles Brian Blackwell. Predeceased by her parents and sister, Susan, Joey was also the loving aunt to Christopher Lawrence Cornetto (Julie), Jamie Lynn Bowland Kelso (Mario), Lauren Deborah, Emily Susan and Claire Morgan Blackwell. Also left to mourn her passing are her great-nieces and nephews Peighton Alexandra Cornetto, Kayley Gayle and Reegan Blythe, as well as Kennedy Grace and Parker Hudson Kelso. Joey was also predeceased by her most special aunts and uncles, Melvin and Edna T. "Dolly" Lynn, and Raymond and Jessie Terrell Wilson.
Upon graduation from Williams High School in 1970, Joey spent her career as an inspector in the area's textile industry, retiring on January 2, 2014 - the day she was diagnosed with cancer. Some would bemoan such a fate and ask the Lord, "Why me?" Joey did not. Instead, she was determined to maintain the life, the hobbies and the things she loved: her wonderful family, her special family of friends from Carolina Beach, her beloved UNC Tar Heels (especially basketball) and her lifelong love of The Beatles and rock and roll music. She often referred to her attendance at Sir Paul McCartney's concert in Greensboro on October 30th, 2014 as "The Best Day Ever." Most importantly, however, Joey loved her family and her friends and they returned that love in kind. Though blessed with 3 wonderful biological sisters, Joey also considered herself favored with 2 other most special "sisters": Lynn Hogan-Parker of Burlington and Deborah Wrape Stanton of Greensboro, both of whom showered Joey with love, respect and support, especially over the past 4 years.
Joey's family would like also to recognize her medical caregivers, Dr. Paola Gehrig, Shamekia L. Wilson, RN, and all of her "team" at UNC Hospitals (especially the nurses in infusion. Joey said, "They spoil me rotten and I love it!") We would also like to express our appreciation for the Hospice Home of Alamance/Caswell and her most wonderful hospice nurse, Lisa Brown, for making her last weeks and days not only peaceful but fun! Joey also asked to leave behind her never-ending love to her special friends, neighbors and landlord, Wanda Cole, Carol Starling and Ken Porterfield for their never-ending support and friendship.
Finally, her family insists that Joey's sister, best friend and caregiver, Ellen, be recognized for her sacrifice in being with Joey every minute of her journey over the last 4 years. She put her own life and career on hold to be Joey's champion and to make sure that Joey had everything she need to fight her battle and to live every minute of her life with the love, support and security she needed. No one could have a more loving sister than Ellen.
A celebration of Joey's life will be held on Sunday November 19th (the birth date of her son, Philip) at Lowe Funeral Home in Burlington from 2-4p.m. At her request, there will be refreshments, music that she loved and an informal gathering of the people with whom she shared her life in some way. Joey considered herself a most blessed and fortunate child of God. Her spirit will live on through all who shared in her life and believe in the good Lord who created her.

Previous Events