Earl Liston Blackwell was born, lived, and died on the Blackwell farm (now in the family for six generations) located in the northwestern corner of Rusk County. He was buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Born on December 16, 1908, the elder son of A. D. and Maude Schuler Blackwell, Earl had a younger brother, Carl Tilton Blackwell, who died in 1958. He has two sisters, Geneva Blackwell Stevens of Gladewater and Ann Blackwell Smith of Henderson. He spent his young years helping his parents with their dairy and farming. He went to grammar school at London, graduated from Jacksonville High, and attended Tyler Commercial College.

Earl first met his wife-to-be in the summer of 1909 at the Pleasant Hill Picnic when they were placed on pallets as babies; but he did not talk to her until the fall of 1927, when they had adjoining desks in a history class at Henderson High School. He married Mable Frances Crim, daughter of Basil M. and Anna Belle Dunklin Crim, on May 7, 1932. She attended grammar school at Farmer’s Institute, finished Henderson High School in 1928, attended Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, and taught school for three years before her marriage. Annie Belle Crim, her only sister, was killed in the London School explosion of March 18, 1937.

Earl worked for his father until 1943, when he was drafted into the Navy. He became an instructor in the gunnery division in Corpus Christi. After his discharge from service in 1945, he went to work for the McMurrey Refining Company in Tyler. He was associated with this company until 1957, the year the business was sold to La Gloria Refining Company. When he retired, he was Secretary of the Board.

From 1957 until his death on February 1, 1981, Earl divided his time between various business investments and civic affairs. He served as president of the New London School Board. He was also on the Rusk County School Board for a number of years, a post previously held by his father, A. D. Blackwell. At the time of his death, he was the Secretary-Treasurer of the New London Lions Club, having served in that capacity for fifteen years or more. He was also President of the New London Adult Club, Chairman of the Counting Committee of the London Baptist Church, and Vice-President of the Overton-New London American Association of Retired People, Chapter Number 956. A tax consultant for the elderly, he was a charter member of the Senior Service Center in Overton. In addition, he served for over thirty years as Judge in school, county, and state elections. In 1978, Earl and Mable Blackwell were selected as outstanding citizens of the Overton-New London Chapter of AARP.

Mrs. Earl L. Blackwell has also been active in civic affairs – church and community functions. She served for a number of years as president of the New London PTA. She is a trustee on both the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Trust Fund and the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association. In 1980, she, along with her husband, were instrumental in getting a Texas historical marker for the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. At present, she belongs to the Henderson Woman’s Forum, the Pilot Club, and the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Earl and Mable have one son, James Lee Blackwell, who was born on November 12, 1942. He is a lawyer, now residing in Henderson.

Submitted by James Blackwell