THE PARIS NEWS, Sun., Mar. 23, 1997, p.6A: '(Picture) The Rev. Virgie Blackwell Temple, of 2630 Kessler Dr., Paris, pastor and minister of the gospel, was called home to be with her Lord Saturday, March 22, 1997, after an extended illness. Services are scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday at Highway Full Gospel Church, Paris, with the Rev. Jack D. Barker officiating. Bright-Holland Funeral Home will make burial in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. today at the funeral home. Known by most as 'Sister Virgie,' she was a pioneer among women in the Christian ministry. During her active ministry, which included parts of seven decades, she conducted evangelistic crusades across the states of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. She founded and pastored seven churches located in Pocahontas and Knobel, AR, Carney, OK, Fort Worth, Lewisville and Paris. The two Paris churches are the Highway Full Gospel Church and New Life Tabernacle. She was born July 31, 1909, in Dalton, Randolph County, AR, a daughter of John Dizard and Mary Angeline Linn Blackwell. It was at the age of 16 in 1925 that she preached her first sermon at the Primitive Baptist Church in Dalton. It was during one of her revivals near Deport that she met Maxie Lee Temple. They were married in Paris Oct. 18, 1939. He preceded her in death on Jan. 16, 1990. She also is preceded in death by her parents, six brothers, two sisters, daughter-in-law, Betty Nichols Temple, granddaughter Rebecca Gail Temple, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Survivors include three children, Terry Temple and wife Faye of Powderly, Sharon Hatcher and husband George of Paris and Duane Temple of Houston; seven grandchildren, Vance Temple, Stacy Hatcher, Cassandra Temple, LaTisha Temple, Shane Hatcher, Max Temple and Tamara Hatcher; six great-grandchildren, Heather Temple, Kristen Temple, Brian Temple, Ryan Hatcher, Blaine Hatcher and Mercedes Hatcher.'