Edith Charlene Baird Blackstone

Edith “Charlene” Baird Blackstone passed away Friday, October 18, 2024, following a long journey of Alzheimer’s disease. She is preceded in death by her father, mother, brother, and her loving husband of 59 years, James E. Blackstone. She is survived by her son, Mark L. Blackstone (Gena Wundt Blackstone) of Wimberly, Texas, and daughter, Karen D. Blackstone Motsinger, of Houston, Texas, grandson Kevin P. Motsinger (Taylor), granddaughters Bethany Blackstone (Joel), Rebecca Blackstone, Anna Clarissa Blackstone (Triston), and numerous nieces and nephews. Charlene graduated and was valedictorian of Big Sandy High School, Big Sandy, Texas. She was a 1950 graduate of Sam Houston State University with a degree in Education and a concentration in English. She graduated from high school and college, both in three years. Charlene’s father was an Accountant, owned a Barbershop, was a Firefighter, and was the Upshur County, Texas Judge. Her mother was a hairdresser and member of the Texas Eastern Star organization. She was an avid reader, was proficient at any challenging crossword puzzle, and loved a great game of Bridge, which offered many lifelong friendships. Her passion in life other than family was cooking & sewing. She loved to analyze a great recipe with her special talent for re-creating a recipe by taste and could understand what ingredients were included. Charlene was equally as creative as she was analytical. She was a dedicated Christian wife and mother. She grew up in North East Texas and then spent much of her life supporting her husband’s career in the oil & gas industry. This led to her residence in Great Bend, Kansas, and later to Luling, Texas, where she raised her two children. She was an active member of Central Baptist Church in Luling and volunteered for a number of charities including her husband’s membership in the Masonic Lodge, Luling, Texas, and the Ben Hur Shriners Organization in Austin, Texas. She and James later built their retirement home on Lake Palestine, Chandler, Texas, outside of Tyler, Texas, which was home for them for over 42 years. She was so happy to be back in East Texas, their childhood home and surrounded by many wonderful relatives. She was an active member of Westlake Baptist Church, where she led and volunteered on many committees. She was always appreciative of her extended “church family”. Charlene’s faith carried her through courageous battles of two separate types breast cancer survivorships. She was a true heroine and was dedicated to maintaining her own health and those whom she loved. John 11:25-26 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” A Celebration of her Life will be held Monday, November 4, 2024, 6-8 pm, at Dettling Funeral Home, 14094 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas, 77079. Graveside services, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 12 noon, Chilton Cemetery, US Highway 155/FM Rd 2911, Big Sandy, Texas 75755. Please consider a research donation in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Association ( www.alz.org ) or American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).

Edith Charlene Baird Blackstone

April 5, 1930 - October 18, 2024