MITCHELL — Gretchen Annette Blackwell, 83, passed away Thursday, July 16, 2020, at her home.
Born July 25, 1936, in Lawrenceport, she was the daughter of Edgar James and Leona Maxine (Chess) Eckensberger. She married Donovan G. Ramey May, 1954, and he preceded her in death May 3, 1963. On July 9, 1966, she married Robert E. Blackwell and he preceded her in death January 28, 2004. Gretchen has been in a beautiful, loving relationship with Mr. Jack L. Chastain of Mitchell.
Gretchen was a homemaker. She worked at Spring Mill, Dr. Hamilton’s office, Lawrence County Water Company, and retired from White River Lodge as resident counselor.
Gretchen was very devoted to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was a member of Jacob Finger United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Tri Kappa, and Order of Eastern Star. Gretchen graduated from Mitchell High School in 1954.
Surviving:
daughters,
Regina M. (Bill) Brown of Muncie
Donita A. (Mike Willis) Gwinnup of Charleston, South Carolina
Greta Lucille Blackwell (Alex) Ferraz of Naples, Florida
daughter-in-law,
Sherri Passmore Ramey of Wilmington, North Carolina
grandchildren,
Abigayle (George) Mallers, David E. (Lauren) Segraves, Brandi Hall (Jamie) Medlin, Cole (Brittany) Ramey, Ian Gwinnup, Cai Gwinnup, Keagan Gwinnup, Enzo Blackwell Ferraz, StefanBlackwell Ferraz, Matthew (Robyn) Brown, and Lauren Brown
great grandchildren,
Rexton, Luke, Owen, Jillian, and Jameson
siblings,
Mr. and Mrs. Keith Eckensberger of California
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Julian Eckensberger of Tennessee
Jessica Lynette Hamilton of Mitchell
dearly devoted niece and nephew,
Dr. Heather Hamilton (Dr.Wade) Anunson of Fitchburg, Wisconsin
Dr. Darren Hamilton (Jennifer Docker) of Mitchell
Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Eckensberger; husbands, Donovan G. Ramey and Robert E. Blackwell; son, Barry D. Ramey; grandson, Liam Gwinnup; and sister, Charlotte McCammon Harris, preceded her in death.
Graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Cresthaven Memory Gardens with Reverend Eric Kersey officiating.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center. The family requests that masks be worn.
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