Charlene Blackwell

Charlene Blackwell, 81, of Portland Tennessee passed away peacefully February 19, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born in Miami, Florida to Siegmund and Evelyn (Seefurth) Berendsohn.

Charlene left Miami after marrying her husband, Ronnie, a musician, which led them to Nashville, and they eventually settled in Cross Plains, TN. Ronnie passed away unexpectedly in 1978 and she never remarried. She moved to Pensacola, FL for a few years before returning to the Cross Plains/Orlinda, TN area where she drove a school bus for the Robertson County School System before retiring to Portland, TN.

She loved horses and horse-back riding. She was very artistic and created beautiful sketches and paintings over the years. She loved to travel and was fortunate to visit many places throughout the world during her lifetime. She enjoyed reading and gardening, and oh how she loved her cat BooHoo.

In addition to her parents and late husband Ronnie Blackwell, Charlene is preceded in death by her brother Bill Berendsohn.

Charlene is survived by her two daughters, Audrey (Chris) Norris and Holly Murphy of Portland, TN; her sister Dorothy Mott of Cleveland, South Carolina; her grandchildren, Rachel (Brian) Martin of Cottontown, TN, Brad (Danielle) Sneed, Matt (Gabi) Sneed, from Portland, TN, and Josh (Maria) Murphy from Chattanooga, Tennessee; great grandchildren, Tori Taylor and Maverick Martin, Faith and Madison Sneed, Alex and Emersyn Sneed, and Mason and Miles Murphy; plus several nieces and nephews.

In accordance with her wishes, Charlene was cremated and a private graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, followed by interment next to her late husband.

Arrangements Entrusted to: Sumner Funeral & Cremation, Gallatin (615) 452-9059 www.sumnerfuneral.com . Proud to be family owned and operated.