IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Alice Viola
Blackwell
July 27, 1944 – May 22, 2022
Obituary
While surrounded by her loving family, Alice Viola Blackwell peacefully passed away in her home Sunday, May 22, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio.
Alice was born July 27, 1944, in Brilliant, Ohio to parents Elizabeth and Perry L. Blackwell. She was the youngest of eight children, doted on by her adoring parents and older siblings. At the age of six, Alice Viola joined her siblings and began attending the one-room county schoolhouse located in Brilliant. A year later all children were bussed to Brilliant Public Schools where Alice was a student until the family relocated to sixth street in Steubenville, Ohio. Once in Steubenville, Alice was enrolled in Grant Elementary and matriculated to Steubenville Big Red High school. While in high school, Alice was baptized at Zion Temple Church, a member of the Ohio District Council Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, and dedicated her life to God. As her older siblings began graduating and leaving the family home, Alice and her sister, Sylvia, remained at Big Red. While Alice maintained very loving relationships with her parents and each of her siblings, she and Sylvia were close in age and inseparable. After the sudden death of her beloved sister, Sylvia, and the family's move, Alice began attending Wintersville High school, graduating in 1963. She worked at Hub Department store in Steubenville until marrying her high school sweetheart, Rodger Brian Coker, and moving to Washington, D.C. where they both worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. While living there, the two welcomed their first child and then eventually decided to return home to Wintersville and expand their family. Alice was a devoted mother and remained home with her young children, only briefly working as a preschool teacher when her third child was a toddler. Alice transformed her dedication to her family into an art form, teaching her children how to bake and crochet, and cultivating a life-long love of reading through weekly voyages to the Steubenville Public Library on sixth street. Whether engaging her children in a competitive game of tag, at which she was surprisingly quick, or playing board games and flying homemade kites, Alice was able to create adventures that her children, nieces, nephews, and their neighborhood friends will always fondly remember. She was also a skilled seamstress, another learned talent that she taught her children and grandchildren. At any time, you could find Alice reupholstering furniture, making living room drapes, or sewing complete outfits for each member of the family.
Alice's love and commitment to her family were only outmatched by her love for the Lord and dedication to her church. Upon returning to Wintersville, both Alice and her husband, Rodger, joined Zion Temple Church under the leadership of District Elder Floyd Johnson and were active members as Sunday school teachers and members of the choir. Alice was a talented vocalist, performing songs each Sunday as one of the lead soprano soloists. Singing was always an integral part of Alice's life and much to the delight of family and friends, she enjoyed breaking out into song throughout the day whether at church, home, or work. This characteristic made her loved ones smile and eagerly join her in singing. After moving to Columbus, Ohio, and joining Zion Christian Assembly under the pastorship of Bishop William Polley, Alice remained dedicated to God and continued her service to the church as an intercessory prayer warrior and member of the choir. Alice also worked at Mount Carmel St. Ann's Hospital until her retirement.
Alice was quiet in nature but mighty in spirit, love, and kindness. She will always be known for her gentle disposition and ability to make anyone- family, friend, or stranger immediately feel seen and loved. Her unique bonds with her siblings, children and grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends will continue to be strong, with each one holding onto her amazing love and gentle spirit. We are going to miss our dear mother, sister, aunt, and friend, but find comfort in knowing that she is rejoicing in eternal peace.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents Elizabeth and Perry Blackwell, brother Lewis Blackwell, sisters Lois Forte and Sylvia Blackwell all of Wintersville, Ohio, two loving nephews Jonathan Forte and Rex Crawley, and Rodger B. Coker of Columbus, Ohio.
Alice Viola Blackwell will always be cherished by her loving sister Rosalee Jackson, Columbus, Ohio; brother Robert (Vinnie) Blackwell, Wintersville, Ohio; sister Grace Blackwell, Steubenville, Ohio; sister Marie (Jimmy) Crawley, Durham, North Carolina; children Brian A. Coker, Columbus, Ohio; Debra C. Gill, Columbus, Ohio; Rodd T. Coker, Akron, Ohio; Lakisha A. Beane, Columbus, Ohio; and Robin (Kenyon) Massey, Reynoldsburg, Ohio; She also leaves to cherish her memory grandchildren Tahni Coker Shaheen, Denver, Colorado; Nia Gill, Columbus, Ohio; Nathaniel Anthony Jamal Coker, Yuma, Arizona; Ryan Coker, Japan; Noah Coker, Mount Vernon, Ohio; Kenyon Massey II, Reynoldsburg, Ohio; Gabrielle Massey, Reynoldsburg, Ohio; Caitlyn Coker, Mount Vernon, Ohio; Aniyah Beane, Columbus, Ohio; Kyle Massey, Reynoldsburg, Ohio; Patrick Beane Jr., Columbus, Ohio; Nevin Coker, Mount Vernon, Ohio; Preston Beane, Columbus, Ohio; Ava Beane, Columbus, Ohio; Layla Massey, Reynoldsburg, Ohio; Kelsey Massey, Reynoldsburg, Ohio and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family throughout the country.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Alice Viola Blackwell, please visit our flower store.
Services
Calling Hours
May
29
Gregory-Martin Chapel
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Life Celebration
May
30
Greater Zion Temple Family Worship Center
Starts at 12:00 pm
Interment
May
31
Union Cemetery Association
Starts at 9:00 am
Alice Viola Blackwell's Guestbook
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