Obituary: Gretchen Annette Blackwell

July 25,1936 -July 16,2020

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.

Survivors include her daughters, Regina M. (Bill) Brown of Muncie,  Donita A. (Mike Willis) Gwinnup of Charleston,  South Carolina,  Greta Lucille Blackwell (Alex) Ferraz of Naples, Flordia,  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, Stefan  Blackwell 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.

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