Obituary published on Legacy.com by Lohman Funeral Home Deland on Dec. 18, 2025.
Constance Marie (Frick) Blackwell was born in
Sterling, Kansas, on October 23, 1945. She passed away peacefully on December 11, 2025.
A post-WWII baby, whose father, Robert (Bob), was finishing up his stint in the United States Navy, only to be reassigned during the Korean Conflict. Her father and mother, Margaret Anne (Partington) Frick, moved their girls to the DeLand area in 1952, looking for a warmer climate, business opportunities, and some 'real' fishing.
Connie attended Wisconsin Avenue Elementary School and graduated from DeLand High School in 1963~Go Bulldogs. After receiving her Cosmetology license, she worked in Orlando and DeLand before opening Coiffures by Connie in 1967-82.
Connie and Ralph Blackwell were married in 1965. From a God-given opportunity, Ralph opened his own land surveying firm in 1979, Blackwell & Associates, Inc., still in operation today, with God's leading and blessings through his daughter Megan Blackwell.
With her Christian faith being an essential aspect of her life, Connie was faithful to worship & service after her baptism in 1969 and, prayerfully, with time and life experiences, was able to follow those values she learned, as exemplified by Jesus.
Connie's service to the Lord has included the independent Christian Churches and, more recently, The Deltona Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, DeLand Campus. Over the years, she had served in the Children's Education Ministry, Worship, Women's Ministry, Missions, Evangelism, Communication, and Building Ministries. Her community volunteer service included: Junior Woman's Club for 12 years, serving as President twice and as State District 6 Director, among other roles and responsibilities. Enjoying music and with voice lessons, she sang in four choral groups and choirs for over thirty years. Her community volunteering included working with new single mothers in UF/state sponsored child abuse prevention program, was a court appointed Guardian Ad Litem for ten years, client advocate and volunteer at Grace House Pregnancy Resource Center (a pro-life empowering and assistance center for families and new mothers), and The Sands Theater on stage, as well as backstage, and ushered at the restored Athens Theater.
Other interests Connie enjoyed were all of God's nature, with a focus on wildlife, especially birds. She enjoyed the arts, both visual and performing. Travel was required as her daughters moved away, and sparked an interest in seeing other places, Alaska being one of her favorites.
Her life partner, Ralph, passed on to life's other side in 2008. She is survived by her daughters: Coranna Joelle Mehl, Cameron Blackwell, Courtney McLeod (Jeremiah), and Megan Blackwell. Her grandchildren also survive her: Kelby Burnell (Kyle), Trista Ostler (Evan), Jeryn Talley (Brandon), Rileigh White (Austin), Calhan Shanks (Morgan), Keagan Shanks (Piper), Molly Johnson (David), Wyatt McLeod (Meredith), and Bryce & Colby Rasmussen; as well as 13 great grandchildren Aiden, Elias, & Fern Burnell, Mason, Ezra and Magnolia Ann Johnson, Everett Talley, Haven, Eden, Simeon and Noah Shanks, and Desmond and Rowan Shanks.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to the Missions program at the Christian Church at DeLeon Springs would be 'heavenly' or to your mission's program wherever you worship.
"I am resting in peace while I await the rejoicing to come in the abiding love of being in the presence of the Savior and returning when the trumpets sound". Halleluiah!