Elizabeth Mangrum Blackwell

Elizabeth (Libby) Blackwell, 87, of Roanoke, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Born the youngest of 9 children to William (Bud) and Emma Mangrum, Libby grew up in Draper, now known as Eden, North Carolina. At the age of 16, Libby married Tyrus (Mule) Blackwell and went on to have two children, Beth Smith and Jenny Whyte. With the Air Force telling them where to go, Libby and Mule moved eighteen times in their nearly 60-year marriage. Libby would describe with pride her greatest accomplishment, being a U.S. Air Force wife.

Friends were important to her. She developed life-long friendships across the country and here at home in her neighborhood and in her church. Her peers described her as sweet and funny.

Libby loved to travel. Anytime somebody said, “go”, she would put on her shoes and head for the door. She enjoyed overseas travel, but mostly, she enjoyed seeing small quaint towns with cute shops and restaurants.

Libby did not have much of a formal education, but she loved to learn. She would talk her friends into taking community-based classes from typing to crafts to tai chi. She enjoyed working in her flower garden and walking.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, all of her siblings, most of her cousins, some of her nieces and nephews, and many of her friends.

She is survived by her daughters, Beth (Paul) and Jenny (Barry), grandchildren Chelsea (Tom), Tyler (Christy) and Ben (Katrina) and by 7 great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held at a later time. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home Peters Creek Road Chapel. (540)366-0707.