Girley Blackwell

Mr. Girley Blackwell, longtime and well known resident of Terrell,was born February 12, 1937 in Wills Point and passed away on August 10, 2022. He grew up in Ben Wheeler and attended Ben Wheeler school until the 9th grade after which he attended Van High School where he graduated in 1956. During his life, Girley worked for the Texas Highway Dept and served with the Texas National Guard, a enlistment of patriotic service that spanned over 33 years. Girley was called up to active duty from the Guard on Oct., 1961, and he went to Ft. Polk, La., for training and spent almost a year in the Army with the 49th Armored Division. In late 1962, Girley returned to Tyler to live and work, again, with the Texas Highway Dept. In 1962, he began working for the Texas Air Defense Command at the Nike Missile Site in Terrell where he continued working until 1967. Girley then began a career in communications working at Collins Radio in Richardson until the mid-1970s. In 1972, Girley had the opportunity to work with the US Postal Service and he was a letter carrier in the growing community of Terrell becoming a familiar face to all the residents in town. Girley was a dedicated USPS employee until his retirement in 2002. In his personal life, Girley was an amazing Christian husband, father and Papaw to his grandkids, great grandkids, and great- great grandkid. He instilled God’s grace and goodness in everything he did and everyone he knew. He loved to fish and his family and many friends can all share a special memory of him and his fishing stories or being beside him fishing. He and his wife, Wynice, loved to travel. When they traveled, they often took along their grandkids and great grandkids where many treasured memories were made. He was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church where he was a faithful servant as he taught Sunday school and served as a deacon. He volunteered in many events within the church and, over the years, his smile was the first to be seen by both visitors and members. Girley also served as mason in the Terrell Masonic Lodge and a Gideon and the friendships made in those organizations were very important to him as he served alongside others in the Lodge and in the mission field to help others see the wonderful saving grace of the Lord. He will always be remembered for his gift of patience and his loving spirit that always displayed his faith and love for Christ. He joined his parents George and Eura Blackwell and brother David Blackwell in Heaven. He will always be remembered by his loving wife of 57 years, Wynice Blackwell, along with his three children: Janis Blair and husband George of Terrell. Richard Blackwell and his wife Elizabeth of Wills Point and Debra Allen and her husband Shawn of Cresson, TX. His legacy will live on inside his grandchildren: Jason Baker of Terrell, Jeremie Baker of Crandall , Syndi Samford and husband Michael, Cody Blackwell, Michael Blackwell and wife Jaime all of Wills Point, Myranda Allen of Benbrook, Krista Quiring and husband Sam of Pilot Point. It will also live within his great grandkids: Taylor and Georgia Baker, Tyler and Madison Baker, Trinity, Trent, and Trey Samford, Kailie, Cody Jr, Harlie,and Zain Blackwell. Ryan, Nathan, and Nicholas Blackwell. Even though Paislee and Elijah Quiring and Tatumn Baker will not remember him, his family will make sure his loving spirit is shared with them .The beginning of the great-great grandkid generation began with Elyanah-Ann Baker and each of them will be the continuation of Girley’s legacy of unconditional love, devotion to family, and service to the Lord. He is also survived by two brothers, Jimmy Blackwell of Santa Fe and Ricky Blackwell and wife Wendy of Van as well as other extended family, beloved church family and a host of friends. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Terrell, Texas. Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens in Terrell, Texas. The family will be receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at the funeral home.

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Girley Blackwell

February 12, 1937 - August 10, 2022