Merle Marjorie Blackwell

Merle Marjorie Patterson Blackwell was born on January 3, 1939, in Topeka, Kansas to the late Edward and Ilar Wilson Patterson. Merle was the youngest of 6 siblings. Her brothers Clyde, Herman and Bobby, and sister, Betty and Arlene also proceeded her in death.

Merle accepted Jesus as her lord and savior at the age of 8, being baptized at 2^nd Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas.

Merle married Richard Brown. To this union a son Richard II, and a daughter Sharyl were born. Later relocating to Palo Alto, CA, Merle met and married Alfred Blackwell in 1968. Alfred passed in 2011. To this union two sons were born Rodney and Alfred Andre who proceeded his mother in death.

Merle worked in several types of jobs. Her favorite being Nursing. She enjoyed mostly caring for the elderly. She retired in 2005 from Hewlett Packard from the Administrative Security Dept.

Merle’s favorite pass times were reading and studying her bible devotions, all types of word puzzles and her times she spent on the computer. Merle moved to Memphis in 2006 where she joined the Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Due to illness, she moved back to California to live with her daughter. Being handicapped she still enjoyed life and was very active.

She leaves to cherish her memories her sons, Richard Brown of Vallejo, CA and Rodney Blackwell of Tulsa, OK, daughter Sharyl Brown (Larry Balentine) of Fremont, CA, Grandchildren Cherez (Sean), Richard III, Monique, Marquel, Cheron, Angel and Ava, five Great Grandchildren, Sister in law Margaret Blackwell and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.