Brenda Blackwood
Brenda (Seastrunk-perciful) Blackwood, 82. Brenda passed away peacefully on Sept. 28, 2022, surrounded by her family. She fought a courageous battle through the care of hospice.
She is survived by her three children, Glen Perciful (Teresa), Mindy Heykoop (Tony) and Matt Perciful; five grandsons; and sister, Lavone Depew; and brother, Clyde Seastrunk.
She is predeceased by her husband, Sam Blackwood, father, J.R. Seastrunk, and mother, Clytie Seastrunk, and sister, Audrey Davis.
Brenda will always be remembered as a devoted mother and grandmother, fiercely loyal friend, and follower of Jesus Christ. Her disarming sense of humor and brilliant business acumen will be missed by her family and friends.
Brenda was a graduate of Harding University and Arkansas State University, where she earned a degree in business, and advanced MBA and CPA. She earned her real estate license at age 18 and worked with her father in Hot Springs before embarking on a successful career in education and business.
She worked for the State of Arkansas, where she held positions with the Industrial Research and Extension, where she worked closely with the East Arkansas Planning and Development and White River Development District. She was a true groundbreaker and trailblazer for women’s opportunities in the work force. She became the director of the Mid-america Trade Adjustment Assistance Program for the University of Arkansas, working in a 10-state region. She was an Adjunct Professor of Marketing and Management for Arkansas State University, while working as a CPA.
She served as a small business adviser to Presidents Carter and Reagan. She entered the banking industry serving as the controller for National Bank of Arkansas and First Commercial Bank, now Regions Bank. She then moved to south Texas and became the director of Small Business Center for the Middle Rio Grande Development Counsel in Del Rio, Texas.
In retirement, she enjoyed the rugged ranch life of south Texas with a rich assortment of wildlife and hunting with friends. She was a member of the Brackettville Church of Christ.