Bernice Cavett Blackwell, 103, of Arcola, died at 1:05 p.m. Sunday, July 15, 2018 at the Arthur Home.

Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, July 19, 2018 at the Arcola Cemetery with Rev. Rick Snyder as officiant. Shrader Funeral Home, 204 N. Locust Street, Arcola, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mrs. Blackwell was born March 4, 1915 in Memphis, Tennessee, the daughter of William Gray and Bernice Jackson Cavett. She was united in marriage to Samuel Moser Blackwell on April 16, 1943 in Memphis, Tennessee; he preceded her in death on April 8, 1984.

Survivors include two sons, Samuel Blackwell, Jr. (Mary Jo O'Connor) of Yorkville; William Cavett Blackwell and wife Terry of Arcola; grandsons, Austin Jered Blackwell of Costa Mesa, California; Jeremy Brandon (Ashley) Blackwell of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania; Joshua Samuel (Melissa) Blackwell of Arcola; great grandsons, William and JC Blackwell of Arcola; two nieces and one nephew.

She was preceded in death by her grandson, Jordan William Blackwell and her sister, Wilhemina Cavett Chase.

Mrs. Blackwell attended Miss Hutchison's School For Girls; she was a graduate of Southwestern College, which is now Rhodes College, in 1936 where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority and S.T.A.B. Inter-Sorority. She was also a member of the Girls Cotillion Club of Memphis and the Stephen A. Douglas Chapter of D.A.R.

Mrs. Blackwell was an avid swimmer. While serving as a lifeguard in college, she was credited with saving 5 girls from a boating accident in Lake Lure, North Carolina.  Mrs.  Blackwell was a member and former Elder of the Arcola Presbyterian Church.

Memorials are suggested to the Arcola Presbyterian Church, Arcola Public Library, or the Arcola Food Pantry.

Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.hilligossshraderfh.com