Barbara Blackman

Barbara Blackman, 87, beloved wife of the late Walter Blackman, Sr., entered her Heavenly home on September 15, 2017, with her family by her side.In addition to her beloved husband, Barbara is preceded in death by her parents B.H. and Inez Bolen (Blackville, SC); her oldest daughter, Donna Raborn (Augusta, GA); her first grandchild, Kerry Raborn (Augusta, GA); and her oldest brother, Lanier (Bo) Bolen (Cross, SC). Mrs. Blackman was a member of Kiokee Baptist Church in Appling, GA.Barbara and her late husband raised their three children (Donna, Walter & Pam) in Aiken, SC.After the children left home, they moved to North Augusta and made it their home.Barbara was a stay-at-home mother.She took care of her family, she did it with love, she did it with laughter, and she did it well. Barbara loved life.She loved to "just go".“Let’s just go for a ride; just go see the Christmas lights, just go to the mall, just go visit family” … go, go, go!Recently, one of her nurses asked if she had ever been in the military.She replied, “no, but I wish I had”.When asked why, she simply stated “so I could have seen more of the world”.The Lord is now revealing all the sights she was unable to see while on her earthly home.This world has nothing to offer compared to the beauty of Heaven, which we know she is enjoying now.She has reached the ultimate travel destination, resting in the arms of our sweet Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In 2007, Barbara lost the love of her life after 54 years of marriage.The loss took a toll on her, but with the help of her daughters she maintained her independence for five years.In February 2012, she reluctantly agreed to move to a long-term care facility.Once there, Andrea Hartley and her devoted staff ensured a smooth transition.Barbara soon loved and was loved by everyone she encountered.The staff nicknamed her "Hollywood" for wearing her sunglasses inside the facility and "Speedy" because she could walk her wheelchair faster than most people could push it.Eventually, they all lovingly referred to her as “Momma”. Barbara was a creature of habit. She was firm and demanding, but very loving and compassionate. The staff learned her likes, dislikes and habits and were quick to respond to her calls.They knew she wanted to get up before her daughter visited and she wanted to put her gown on and get back in the bed before she left.They knew she loved strawberry milkshakes!They laughed with her, cried with her, and comforted her.Some would sit with her on their breaks, comb her hair and comfort her.The family is eternally grateful for the compassionate nurses and aides who cared for Barbara. Barbara loved being with her family.Holidays were a special treat she looked forward to immensely.She wanted to be the first one to arrive and the last one to depart ... and she didn't hesitate to let her daughter and son-in-law know!There were many late night drives taking her home and reliving the evening’s festivities.She was exhausted at the end of the day, but the enjoyment she found with her family far outweighed the toll it took on her health. Barbara knew when the time for her Heavenly departure was at hand.She told her daughter on June 26, 2017, that she didn't have much time. She did not appear sick or in distress, but she said she felt it in her heart, she was tired, she was ready and she wasn't afraid.She wanted to see her family.And see her family and friends is exactly what she did!At the end, Barbara knew she had made a lasting, positive impact on the lives of her loved ones and she knew she was well loved. She is survived by her son Walter Blackman, Jr. (Phoenix, AZ); daughter and son-in-law Pam and Tommy Cooksey (Harlem, GA); brother Thurmond Bolen (Moncks Corner, SC); sister Faye (James) Bodiford (Lexington, SC); grandchildren Lilly Baxley (Martinez, GA), Natascha (Martin) Diehgo (Phoenix, AZ), Kathy Raborn (Augusta, GA), Kelly Hernandez (Augusta, GA), Tommy Cooksey, Jr. (Knoxville, TN), James Cooksey (Grovetown, GA), Crystal (Josh) Crisp (Skyesville, MD); 17 great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren; and a host of dedicated and loving nieces and nephews The family will receive visitors from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 17, 2017, at Poteet Funeral Home, 3465 Peach Orchard Road, Augusta, GA.Funeral services will be held Monday, September 18, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Steve Hartman officiating.Interment will be in Bellevue Memorial Gardens in Grovetown, GA.Pallbearers will be Barbara’s grandsons Tommy Cooksey, Jr. and James Cooksey and her nephews Chris Bolen, Clint Bolen, Ferris Bolen, Travis Bolen, Nelson Bolen and Steve Holley. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you be kind to someone. Call a friend or relative you haven't reached out to recently. Forgive often. Love unconditionally.Do a random act of kindness and help someone in need.Leave this world in a little better condition than when you found it. “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.This is the first and great commandment.And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” ~ Matthew 22:36-39 (KJV)