Obituary: Maria Francis Blackwell

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Maria Francis Blackwell, 88, of Eldorado, passed away Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Shawnee Rose Care Center in Harrisburg.

Maria was born in Glenarm on March 1, 1924, a daughter of the late Julia F. (Dewitt) and W. A. Mefford.

She was a member of Land Street Church of God in Harrisburg.

She worked as a licensed practical nurse in Branson, Mo. prior to retirement.

She was the widow of Harvey Leon Blackwell, who preceded her in death.

Maria is survived by a son, David Arnold of Missouri; a sister, Francis Garland of Springfield; and two grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Billy Arnold; and a sister, Nellie E. Snowden.

Graveside services will be held at Wolf Creek Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2012, with the Rev. Paul Taylor officiating.

Condolences may be sent via the Internet site www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com