Lorilla Marie Farris

Lorilla Marie (Devin) Blackwell Farris, 82, of Dover, died Monday, June 20, 2011 in Hennis Retirement & Care Centre at Dover following a lengthy illness.The oldest daughter of the late James and Lily (Parker) Devin, Lorilla was born October 8, 1928 at Madill County, Oklahoma. Lorilla graduated from Canyon High School at Canyon, Texas in 1947. Then later in life, she resumed her education at nursing school where she would receive her LPN certification at the age of 50. Lorilla held various nursing positions over the years and eventually retired in 1992 from Humanna Hospital at Louisville, Kentucky. During her nursing career, she cared for premature infants and diabetic patients and after her retirement she cared for patients in rehabilitation centers.When not caring for patients at work, Lorilla lovingly cared for nine of her own children at home. Her caring attitude did not stop there however, she also cared for seven foster children over the years. When not caring for patients at work or her children at home, Lorilla found time to carry out her hobby as a cake decorator.She is survived by her children, James (Linda) Blackwell of Massillon, Boyd Blackwell of Canton, Stephen (Hazel) Blackwell of Paris, Tennessee, Paul (Gail) Blackwell of Stone Creek, Karen (Gary) York of Tippecanoe, Kathie Wright of Amarillo, Texas, Duane (Roxane) Blackwell of Freeport, Lori (Nic) Kucera of Dellroy and Treva Harper of Amarillo, Texas; 29 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth Lemmons of Kansas and Geneva (George) Robinson of Stinnet, Texas and two brothers, James (Roberta) Devin of Virginia and Glenn (Polly) Devin of Kansas.Lorilla was preceded in death by her parents; her former husband, Robert J. Blackwell; a grandson, Specialist Justin R. Blackwell who was killed in action while serving in Iraq in 2007 and a son-in-law, Tim Wright.The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 23, 2011 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Lorilla’s life will be held on Friday, June 24, 2011 at 2 p.m. in the funeral home with John Ahmed officiating. Burial will follow in Stone Creek Cemetery.Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and view an online memorial by visiting the funeral home website.The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.