We are sad to announce that Fern Lucille Widener, born 16 Jun 1922 in Stickney, Maries Co, MO to Roy Augustus Sharp and Anna Isabel (Sneed) Sharp passed away in her home in Rolla, Phelps County on Sunday, January 17, 2021, aged 98 years, 7 months and 1 day. She had been ill for sometime.

Fern Lucille Widener was first married to Charles Orville Blackwell on  October 25, 1939 in St. Louis. To this union, nine children were born: Charles Vertle (Carolyn) Blackwell and Thomas Roy (Delores) Blackwell, Cuba; Wanda Louise Blackwell, Linnie Ronald (Shirley) Blackwell, and Noel Ray Blackwell, Rolla; Marcia Elaine (Ron) Rehm, St. Louis; Kenneth Dale (Paula) Blackwell, Jerome, and Deborah Ann (Ray) Collins, Seymour. Darrel Duwayne Blackwell died in 2004 from a massive stroke. "Mom was the glue that held her family together".

Lucille was the eldest child of nine children born to Roy and Anna Sharp: surviving are Roy Everett (Dorothy) Sharp; Donley Gene (Marie), both from Dixon, MO, and 24 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great grandchildren.

After Charles Orville Blackwell died in a tragic drowning accident on June 17, 1961. Lucille remarried to Charles Olaf Widener from Edgar Springs, on February 25, 1965. Olaf died September 20, 1993.  Olaf had one son, Gordon Charles (Alice) Widener who is a blessing to this family and loved Lucille as his own mother. Lucille loved quilting, and making quilts for her children and friends. She also made many crafts; she also loved gardening, flowers and cooking.

Above all Lucille loved serving the Lord. She was baptized in 1938 by Roy Lamberson from the Maries County area and received the gift of the Holy Spirit at a very young age, she had no fear in expressing the joy she felt in her heart wherever she was. She was a faithful member of the Tabernacle of Praise where her grandson Rev. Timothy Blackwell is pastor. She was very dedicated and loved working with the Sunday school children over the years. She will truly be missed by her children and friends.

Visitation from 10 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Dixon with Rev. Cecil Boswell and Rev. Timothy Blackwell officiating.

Interment in the Dixon Cemetery under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dixon.  Serving as her pallbearers were her grandsons.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church of Pacific or the Tabernacle of  Praise, Rolla or to the Preferred Hospice with envelopes available at the office of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home, Dixon.

Special thanks to Preferred Hospice, Kindred Care, and special Caregivers Debbie and Ann, all from Rolla.

The family wishes for all in attendance to wear mask and practice social distancing.