LANCASTER, SC ~ Mrs. Naomi H. Blackwell Sims, age 96, passed away Sunday, September 7, 2025. She was born June 24, 1929, in Lancaster, SC, a daughter of the late Roy M. Helms and the late Mary Byrd Helms and was the loving wife of the late Clyde Blackwell. Naomi was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, SC. Naomi was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Naomi is survived by a son, Larry Blackwell (Jan); her daughter, Janice Duncan; a daughter-in-law, Clarice Blackwell; three grandchildren, Melanie Mancuso (Pierluigi), Heather Storey (Jim), and Lauren Blackwell; five great-grandchildren, Matthew Mancuso, Hannah Mancuso, Lukas Mancuso, James Storey, and Wells Storey; a brother, Archie Helms; and two sisters, Ann Joyner and Jocelyn Askew.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Blackwell; her parents, Roy and Mary Helms;      a son, Mark Blackwell; a grandson, Matt Blackwell; and two brothers, Roy Helms and Boyce Helms.

The Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Naomi will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Grace Presbyterian Church, 1026 Grace Avenue, Lancaster, SC 29720, officiated by Rev. Marty Simmons. Burial will be private at Lancaster Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends following the service until 12:30 pm, in the fellowship hall of Grace Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Matt Blackwell Foundation, P.O. Box 188, Lancaster, SC 29721.