Lynn Dell Ramsey Blackburn

Lynn Dell Ramsey Blackburn

Lynn Dell Ramsey Blackburn, 82, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 15, 2023. She was born May 16, 1941, to J. G. and Rosa Notgrass in Notrees, Texas. She was the eighth of eight children. 

Lynn grew up in Midland, Texas and attended cosmetology and business school. She enjoyed crocheting, playing the organ and violin. She loved dancing, square dancing, and spending time with her grandchildren. She loved doing crafts, entering those items in the Permian Basin Fair and Expo, and was an avid baker, which she took up with her grandchildren. She was an active church member of Mission Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas and Eastside Baptist Church in McCamey, Texas where she created the church bulletins, while being in charge of the Prayer Chain Requests as well.

Lynn was the first woman survivor of a Brain Stem Stroke with “Locked-In Syndrome” at the young age of 39. With determination and the Notgrass stubbornness, she went from being a quadriplegic to living independently beating the odds that were against her. Being blessed with this new independence and outlook on life, Lynn devoted her life to helping others and paying it forward, as she always said, “This is the second chance that God gave me”. She volunteered in various nursing homes in Odessa, TX and McCamey, TX, where she founded the ‘Adopt a Grandparent’ Program through the Lambda Alpha Sorority. Numerous nursing homes in the Odessa area still have this program today. Over several years, Lynn and her husband Bill also entertained the residents with ventriloquist dolls Mortimer and Charlie McCarthy and by singing gospel music. Her unforgettable laugh, contagious smile, and the sparkle that never left her eyes will be greatly missed.

Welcoming her into heaven with love are her husband, Bill Blackburn, parents, J.G. and Rosa Notgrass, brothers, Burl, Troy, Bud, and Randall Notgrass, special granddaughter, Jennifer Herron, first love Roland Ramsey, and her loyal dog Cuddles, who never left her side.

Lynn will be deeply missed by her children Mandy and Randy Brooks of McCamey, TX, Ronnie Ramsey of Henderson, NV, and Kathy Herron of McCamey, TX; sisters, Nita Howard from Whitesboro, TX, Orita Smith from Winters, TX; brother, Dale (Jackie) Notgrass from Lubbock, TX, numerous nieces and nephews, six grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. 

Visitation with family is on Thursday, July 20^th from 6pm-8pm at Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home in McCamey, TX. A celebration of Lynn’s life will be on Friday, July 21^st at 10am at Eastside Baptist Church in McCamey, TX with Jack Thompson officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Cemetery in McCamey. 

The family requests those in attendance to wear Lynn’s favorite color, light blue, and to use her preferred flower shop, Little Flower Shop in Crane, TX. Donations may also be made in her honor to West Texas Rehabilitation of Abilene, Texas.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Jasper Bothel, RN and Tyler Jarrett, RN ICU with Shannon Medical Center Hospital and Haylee Newton and Candy Molina with Hospice of San Angelo for their compassionate care of our Mom.