LANCASTER—Virginia Anne Watkins Blackwell, 96, of Lancaster went to be with her Lord, Monday, January 2, 2023, at UNC Rex Healthcare in Raleigh, NC.
Virginia was born September 17, 1926, in Hampton, to the late Alfred and Sarah Wilson Watkins. She was a graduate of Hampton High School and was able to land her first job at NASA in Langley Field.
Virginia ministered as a faithful and devoted pastor’s wife for most of her life and worked as an administrative assistant wherever they resided, until retirement. She was an ordained deacon of Corrottoman Baptist Church and served faithfully in multiple ministry positions within her church. One of her favorite ministries was volunteering at the Lighthouse Thrift Store, an extension of the church.
Virginia left a wonderful legacy of Christian character for her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Rev. Johnny Lee Blackwell; brothers, A. Coleman Watkins and Robert L. Watkins; sister, Betty Jane Watkins Miller; brother-in-law, Jimmie C. Miller; and beloved cousin, Elizabeth Ann Page Smith.
Virginia is survived by her daughters, Anne B. McClain (Gregory) and Roberta S. Blackwell; son, James Leslie Blackwell (Kathy); grandchildren, Jonathan David McClain (Christine), Sean Gregory McClain, Jennifer Lynn Cosby (Doug), Hannah Elizabeth Bychowski (Matthew), Stephen James Blackwell (Savannah); and six great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 4, at Corrottoman Baptist Church, 48 Ottoman Ferry Road, Lancaster. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Memorials may be made to Corrottoman Baptist Church.
