Wanda L. Blackwood

Wanda Loujeanne Meadows was born on March 16th, 1939, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Willard and Hazel Meadows, the youngest of six children.

Wanda graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1957 and then attended Grace and Glory Bible School in Kansas City, Missouri. Upon returning home from Bible School the next summer, Wanda married her high school sweetheart, Robert (Bob) Blackwood, on June 13th, 1958. Wanda completed her Bible School training in 1959 via correspondence courses.

Throughout the next 14 years, Wanda played the piano at the church she and Bob attended in Albuquerque, as well as taught children's Sunday School classes. Wanda also taught children in her neighborhood about Jesus by hosting "Good News Clubs" in her backyard. Her greatest desire was that others know and love Jesus Christ.

Bob and Wanda had four children; Dan, Debbie, Steve and Barb.

In 1972, the Blackwood family moved to Colorado. While in Colorado, Wanda worked as an administrative assistant for the City of Aurora and the Prudential Insurance Company.

The Blackwood family were among the original members of Abundant Grace Fellowship in 1988. This church family has been an incredibly close and vital part of the Blackwood family. Wanda played the piano for the congregation, taught an adult Sunday School class as well as many ladies' Bible Studies, and devoted herself to the well-being of the church and her family. Wanda was diligent and faithful to express her love and encouragement to others through a powerful card ministry. Wanda also was very instrumental in assisting Bob in the church bookkeeping responsibilities for many years. Wanda also taught Bible Studies in the evenings in her home for many years. Wanda truly devoted herself to seeking and living out the will of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Wanda's eldest son, Dan, went to be with the Lord in 1990, and her remaining children married and had children and grandchildren of their own. Wanda took great joy in spending time with her grandchildren, playing games with them and teaching them the Word of God.

In October of 2005, Wanda was diagnosed with a slow-growing form of cancer. As the disease progressed, she took the opportunity to make great memories with her husband and family. In the last two years alone, Wanda enjoyed activities ranging from zip-lining over Noah's Ark to taking an Alaskan cruise to teaching her youngest daughter to sew. She truly made the most of each day the Lord chose to give her. Wanda also made a point to share her heart with those close to her. She wanted to leave no memory unexplored, and no expression of love unspoken.

In June of 2018, Wanda and Bob celebrated 60 years of marriage at a beautiful anniversary party attended by many family and friends. Bob has always said he feels they have been on a 60-year-honeymoon.

In January of 2019, when it was discovered that her slow-growing cancer had changed into something much more aggressive, she was able to face the end of her life with very few regrets. She understood, as fully as anyone this side of heaven can, the all-encompassing love of her heavenly Father. Wanda truly believed the Truth of the Bible that the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared to the glory that was to be revealed in her. Because of her deep, abiding faith in Jesus Christ, Wanda was able to face death without fear. She was sad to leave her friends and family so soon, but even in her weakest, most vulnerable moments, she was not afraid. People sometimes speak of a person "losing their battle with cancer". Wanda didn't lose anything. She looked cancer right in the eye, smiled sweetly, and said, "Take me home to Jesus." And the cancer obeyed.

On Thursday, January 24th, 2019, Wanda Blackwood stepped out of the body that had housed her for 79 years and stepped into the arms of her Lord. Preceding her to Glory were her parents, Hazel and Willard Meadows, her brother, Chuck Meadows, her son, Dan Blackwood, and many others who had touched her life. She is survived by her adoring husband, Bob; her children, Debbie & Kris Tive of Rockledge, Florida, Steve & Karen Blackwood of Thornton, Colorado, Barb & Darren Gregory of Westminster, Colorado, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and "adopted" grandchildren at her church. Wanda is also survived by four sisters, Helena Frazee of McIntosh, New Mexico; Juanita & Orville Freestone of Lakewood, Colorado; Doris (Kitty) & Raymond Hart of Prospect, Tennessee; and Nellie & Alfred Clonts of Safford, Arizona.

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