Joan Hallum Blackwell

Joan Hallum Blackwell died peacefully on Monday, March 21, 2016, after a brief illness. She was 74. Joan was many things to many people: wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and beloved friend. She lived for more than 50 years on Victoria Street with her husband, Eddie, who passed away in 2012. She made the people in her life happy. Born July 29, 1941, Joan was raised and went to high school in Hamlin, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie, whom she married on April 29, 1961, mother (Pearl Hallum), father (Ralph Hallum) and sister, Bonnie Jean Hallum. Her survivors include brother Cecil Hallum - whom she adored (and his wife, Carol), her daughter and son-in-law, Craig and Debra McCright and her son, Mike. She is also survived by a wonderful group of grandkids who loved her as she loved them: Michael Blackwell (and wife Ashleigh), Shanell Hixenbaugh (and husband A.J.), Justin McCright, Ashton Wallace (and husband Jared), Meagan Morrow (and husband Derek), Abbie Blackwell, Tess Blackwell and Miles Blackwell. Great grandkids - whom she treasured - are Phoenix and Jaxon Whipple, and Lizzie and Jameson Blackwell. Mom loved everyone she encountered; once you knew her, she was in your heart. She loved her husband, Eddie, from the time she married him at 19 until she died at 74. She literally kept him going when he experienced a myriad of health issues from his 30s until he passed away at 75. She loved her work family at Wes-T-Go, folks who not only took care of her at work, but loved her as their family. Mom and her family will be forever grateful. She loved the Brittons - Betty, Doug, Lisa, Monty and Pee Wee, and their extended families. Her friendship with Betty was truly once in a lifetime. She treasured her daughter, Debra: trips to the mall, to El Chico's, to go get a milkshake or a hamburger, or sit beside one another at ballgames. She enjoyed many good times with her son, who tried to aggravate her and make her laugh at the same time, hopefully more of the latter than the former. She loved her extended family, too, and couldn't wait to spend a week at Cecil's lake house on Lake Livingston for those wonderful family reunions. Some of the happiest times of her life were spent there, at the "Fundarosa", listening to the family singing, watching them attempt to fish, listening to lies and marveling at them as they slid down a slip and slide greased with dish soap...this was her family. For mom, a good day started with her first morning Dr Pepper, followed by a trip to watch her kids or grandkids play ball, followed by a good time eating out for dinner. Her cooking - she loudly proclaimed - ended when Dad passed away. There was only one Joan Blackwell, and she will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, with Dr. Don Greenway and Mike Blackwell officiating. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at the funeral home.