Iris Blackwell

Iris Blackwell

May 20, 1928

February 23, 2013

SAN ANTONIO, TX - The life of Iris Jeanette Mason Blackwell will be celebrated in a memorial ceremony on Saturday, March 9th at 11:30 am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home at 2201 Airline Drive in Bossier. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 a.m. She will be interred later at Hill Crest Cemetery.

Iris, 84, left this life on February 23, 2013. She lived in San Antonio, Texas for the past 5 years. Born on May 20, 1928 to the late Albert and Lila Mason in New York, Iris left New York in her late teens. She and her family moved to Bossier in 1963, and she lived there for the next 45 years. She attended Draughon Business School in Shreveport. She retired from the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant. Over the years, she traveled throughout the United States, South America and Europe. She enjoyed gardening, fishing, dancing and painting.

She is survived by her son Donald F. "Butch" Burns III, and his wife Joycelynn Light Burns of Harker Heights, Texas; daughters Cheryl Graham of St. Augustine, Florida, and Julie Burns Eversole, and her husband Kurt of San Antonio, Texas; step-daughters Paulette Steiger of Keithville, Annette Grubb and her husband Len of Keithville; nine grandchildren Tracy Nelson, Chris Festavan, Scott Festavan, Matthew Allen, Kelly Free, Shane Graham, Renee Francavilla, Jennifer Burns, Rachel Eversole; eleven great grandchildren, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, Hershel O. "Blackie" Blackwell; her brothers, Nelson Mason, and Perry Mason; and step-daughter, Bobbie Jean "Jeanie" Alford.

She was a long-time member of the Ladies Oriental Shrine, Amigos Dance Club, Daughters of the Nile and the Women's Department Club. She also served as the Barksdale NCO Wives Club President.

She was tough and never complained about pain, even after surgery. She is loved and will be missed by many.

Memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.