Family and friends will be gathering for a memorial service at Hopson-Anspach Family Mortuary, 620 Oregon St., Bakersfield, CA., on Wednesday, September 30 at 11:00 am, with interment to follow at South Kern Cemetery, Arvin, CA.. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, from 2:00 to 8:00 pm. at the Hopson-Anspach Chapel. Liz was born in the Arkansas hills northeast of Russellville on December 21, 1920 to her parents Thomas Nutt and Margret Hinson Nutt. Her mother died when Liz was young and her father moved the family to Oklahoma. There she met and married Lawrence Blackwell, the father of her five children. They moved between California and Oklahoma for several years finally settling near Lamont in about 1945. She resided in Kern County for the remainder of her life working in almost every aspect of farm labor as she reared her four living children. Later in life she married Everett Wilson and then Virgil Watkins with whom she developed an extended family of step children and relatives. Liz was a hard worker and a very tough little lady surviving many physical problems and illnesses at the same time being a loving mother who made many sacrifices for her family. She was lovingly called "Mema" by her family. She loved raising her own vegetables and fruit and canning them for the benefit of her family and friends. She was famously known for her black eyed peas she prepared for potlucks at the church. Liz was a longtime member of TOPS Club, Inc. and Queen of her chapter in 1993. She was a great encourager to her fellow TOPS members. Liz was a member of the church of Christ for 50 years being baptized in Ridgecrest, CA., and last attending the East Bakersfield church of Christ for the past 27 years. She was a very dedicated Christian actively supporting various works within the church. She conducted Bible studies with individuals in Africa through World Bible School and contributed to yard sales in her yard in Lamont and then gave the money to Manuelito Children's Home. Liz also encouraged everyone she could to study the Bible and live for the Lord. She will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know and love her. She was predeceased by her daughter, Thelma Dean, her three husbands, her sisters, Bertha, Bessie, and Verna, and her brother Clarence. She leaves to cherish her memory, her brothers: Charlie and wife Ramona Nutt; and Alvin and wife Jean McNutt; her children: daughter, Mary and husband Henry White; son, Jim and wife Gloria Blackwell; daughter, Jeanne and husband Jack Stewart; and son John Blackwell; grandchildren: David White, Debbie Beckwith, Sandy Tonsing and husband Loyd, Mike Blackwell and wife Teresa, and Linda South; great grand children, Chris South, Michelle and husband Chris McGehee, Stephen Beckwith, Shance Beckwith and wife Laura, Breanna Beckwith, Alyssa Beckwith, Jake Wilson, and Lauren Wilson; great-great grandchildren, Phylicia Cardiel, Jeff Seddon, Ashlynn Beckwith, Brooklyn Beckwith, and Calvin McGehee: and a host of nieces, nephews, step relatives, friends, and brothers and sisters in the church of Christ. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Manuelito Children's Home, Gallup, New Mexico.