Leeanna Charlene Blackwelder passed from this life in Scott City, Missouri on April 14, 2023 at the age of 83 after a long battle with dementia and more recent health issues. She is now at peace.

She was born December 18, 1939 in Marston, Missouri to J.E. and Cona Ulmer. She was the first of seven children and lived most of her life in southeast Missouri, the majority that time in and around Sikeston. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Charles Ulmer and Edwin Ulmer, and her husband Walter Raymond Blackwelder. She is survived by her children Mark Blackwelder (Dana), Eric Blackwelder (Lauren), and Kathy Rapert (Rick) and grandchildren Beata Jensen, Alex Blackwelder, Jacob Blackwelder, Nick Blackwelder, Nathan Rapert, Eric Rapert, Casey Rapert and Sam Bruschi, and several great-grandchildren. She is also survived by four siblings: Paulette Cranick (Gene), Sterl Kline (Janet), Larry Ulmer (Sandy), and Jeanie Price (James) as well as her best friend of over twenty-five years, Dorothy Turner.

Mrs. Blackwelder was a stay-at-home mom most of her married life, though she did serve for a time as the secretary for the Shady Acres church of Christ.

Faith was very important to her. She modeled Bible study and prayer for her children and wore out multiple Bibles over her lifetime. She remained very active in the church until her declining health no longer permitted it and taught Bible classes at church for many years. She was known among members of the church for her love of singing and her strong alto voice which could usually be heard throughout the auditorium.

Visitation with family will be at the Shady Acres church of Christ on Monday, April 24 at 5:30pm, followed by a memorial service at 7:00pm.