Gloria S. Blackwell

Gloria Jean (Smith) Blackwell, age 81, of Knoxville, TN, formerly of Greensburg, PA and Appleton, WI, died peacefully at home with her two loving sons by her side after a courageous battle with cancer on Friday, June 9, 2023. Gloria was always happy and had a smile on her face even during this past year while ill.

Gloria was a devoted Christian and attended Grace Lutheran Church in Knoxville.

She was born on March 24, 1942, in Greensburg, PA to the late Glenn and Ethyl (Simmons) Smith. She graduated from Hempfield Area Sr. High School in 1960. She married Harry Blackwell, her high school sweetheart on January 26, 1962. Gloria worked at West Penn Power Co. after high school and stayed there until she had her first child. In 1971, Gloria and Harry moved to Appleton, WI. She worked there as a teachers aid in the Appleton Public Schools until she decided to go to college full time at UW Oshkosh. She graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree while taking care of her husband and 2 boys. After graduating from college, she worked some temp jobs until she was able to get a position at Kimberly Clark in 1984. While working at KC, she went back to school and received her MBA from UW-Oshkosh. In 1991, they moved to Knoxville, TN due to job transfers with Kimberly Clark. She remained working there until she took early retirement in 1998 in order to care for her husband. They were able to enjoy another 6 years together when Harry passed in 2004 due to complications from lung disease.

After his passing, Gloria spent her days volunteering with ETHRA visiting elderly women at assisted living or retirement facilities. She made many friends doing this and continued doing this service until 2018.

Gloria loved her family and many friends. She always enjoyed when friends would come to visit and stay with her.

Gloria is survived by her two sons, James Blackwell of Knoxville, TN and Jay (fiancé Sandi Fenske) Blackwell of Knoxville, TN; grandson Jason Blackwell (fiancé Katrina Swan) of Knoxville, TN. She is further survived by her two brothers, Glenn and Mary Smith of Youngwood, PA; Edward and Charlene Smith of Crossville, TN; sister, Maxine Smith of Youngwood, PA; sister-in-law Therese Smith; and also her nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Frank W. Smith, and her only niece, Pamela Barkley, and her nephew, Mark Smith.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday, June 16th at the Leo M. Bacha Funeral Home, Inc., 516 Stanton Street, Greensburg, PA. Funeral services for Gloria J. Blackwell will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 17th, in the Leo M. Bacha Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at Westmoreland County Memorial Park in Greensburg, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be donated to Grace Lutheran Church in Knoxville, TN.

Gloria’s family sincerely thank UT Hospice for all of their excellent care.