Vivian Ward Blackshear

Mrs. Vivian Marie (Crider) Ward Blackshear, 79, of Newport departed this life at her home on Thursday, November 29, 2012. She was born February 19, 1933 in Egypt, Arkansas, the daughter of John Allen and Lona Anna (Krebs) Crider. Mrs. Blackshear was a 1951 graduate of Egypt High School. Miss Vivian Marie Crider married Mr. Jimmy Owen Ward in 1962. They made their home in Newport. Mrs. Blackshear began working for John Minor Insurance and Real Estate as an insurance agent and licensed real estate agent in 1974 and remained a valued member of that staff for the past 38 years. She was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Post 4683 VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Book Club, Newport B&PW, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Red Hat Society, and was an avid bridge player, playing for years with a treasured group of friends. Mrs. Blackshear was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. Always giving 110 percent to every endeavor, she was a meticulous planner, a true perfectionist, and it was always a joy to be in her company. Her distinctive laugh was infectious. Mrs. Vivian Ward Blackshear was a treasure and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her first husband Jimmy Owen Ward; her second husband Arthur Blackshear and one brother, Raymond Crider. Mrs. Blackshear is survived by one daughter, Sonya Ward of Little Rock, Arkansas; one stepdaughter and children, Suzanne Mutersbaugh, Amanda, Angela and Jason all of Sumter, South Carolina; one sister, Virginia Balch of Newport; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Jackson's Newport Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Ryan Wilson officiating. Interment will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, 6-8 p.m. Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Kenny Crider, Craig Crider, Wesley Grady, Austin Sipes, Michael Sipes and Terry Hardin. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Austin, Jack Frost, Seth Hardin and J.C. McMinn. Arrangements by Jackson's Newport Funeral Home. www.jacksonsfh.com.