Wanda Louise Blackmon

Surrounded by her children and family on the evening of May 21^st, 2024, Wanda Louise Blackmon, of Nashville, Tennessee, slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God. She was 94.

Born during the Great Depression, on September 8, 1929, in Farrar, Texas, Wanda was the daughter of Garvis Artie Kennedy and Viddie Aline Kennedy.  She was the youngest of three children.  Her brother, James Kenneth Kennedy, (Jacksboro, Texas) and sister, Opal Eudean “Dean” Dickson, (Conroe, Texas) both pre-deceased her.  

In 1952, she married Gilbert Guss Blackmon, Jr., (deceased) Texas A&M Class of 1952.  Their remarkable union gifted them with three wonderful children; Denise Ann Murray, (Don) of Nashville, Tennessee; Gilbert Guss Blackmon III, of Arlington, Texas (deceased); and Kenneth Blake Blackmon (Sally) of El Paso, Texas.  

In addition to her children, Wanda is survived by eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; Reagan Rene Glover (Blake), Plano, Texas; daughter Gail Grace Glover and son George William Glover; Donald William Murray III (Katie), Nashville, Tennessee; daughter Mia Mae Murray; Jennifer Faye Binney (Michael), Euless, Texas; son Brayden Wellman and daughter Makayla Wellman; Gilbert Guss Blackmon IV, (Venice) Celina, Texas; sons Gilbert Guss Blackmon V and Bowen Blake Blackmon; Michael Blake Blackmon (Marleigh), Virginia Beach, Virginia; daughter Kinlee;   Misty Faye Blackmon, El Paso, Texas; daughters Charlie Daye and Millie Faye Balandiak; Kendell Paige Scarborough (Darnell), El Paso, Texas; daughter Octavia Sky Scarborough. She is also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Wanda was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and accomplished businesswoman.  She resided with her husband, Gil, who was employed with the Humble Oil Company early in his architectural career, in Dallas, Texas. Later in life they relocated from Dallas to El Paso, Texas, where Gil became a locally prominent real estate investor and developer. They enjoyed many wonderful times together traveling the world and socializing with their many friends and fellow Aggies. In 2015, several years after her husband’s death, Wanda relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, and resided at The Saint Paul Senior Living Center until her passing.  

A beautiful, regal woman, Wanda radiated a remarkable grace, presence and dignity about her, accentuated by enormous individual strength and resilience in the face of life’s many challenges.  Her personal charm, captivating smile and infectious laughter reverberated across her life’s myriad social events and settings, continuously lightening the hearts of all those surrounding her.  

Friends, family members and business associates described her as being highly organized, competitive, having a sharp intellect and an excellent memory. She remained actively engaged in the management of multiple business entities and investments until the time of her passing.

Throughout her life, she was a skilled card player and the winner of many bridge and poker tournaments. Some described her as “someone with whom you did not want to play cards unless you were prepared to lose - graciously.”  Earlier in her life she was a talented golfer, as evidenced by her winning the Ladies’ Club Championship at Horizon Pines Country Club in El Paso, Texas, and having scored a “hole in one” at El Paso Country Club during tournament play. She continued to play golf well into her 80’s.   

Her children remember her as a humble, patient, loving, kind, and generous mother with great fortitude, who was always there to support, uplift and provide counsel.  Her grandchildren, and older great-grandchildren, simply recall her as their strong, fun-loving and indomitably spirited “MiMi” whom they were universally excited to see.  They feel privileged to be blessed with so many cherished memories created during frequent family birthday parties, holiday gatherings, weddings, anniversaries, lake property visits and during their travels together.   

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, June 15^th, at The First Baptist Church, Groesbeck, Texas, where Wanda and her husband were married, followed immediately by graveside services at the family plot in the Faulkenbury Cemetery, in Groesbeck.  Directly following the graveside services, a reception will be held at Los Pepe’s Mexican Café for all those who would like to attend, honoring Wanda’s love of chips, salsa and a great margarita. Los Pepe’s is located at 504 S Ellis St, Groesbeck, TX 76642.