Earl Blackwell

Woodfin Olie Earl Blackwell, 89, formerly of 1 Elkdale Drive passed away Monday, September 6, 2010 in Kingsport, TN. A native of Manning, SC, he had resided in Buncombe County most of his life then moved to Kingsport, TN in 2006 to live with his son. He retired in 1975 from the U.S. Post Office following 27 years of service, was a member of Blackmer Masonic Lodge #170 since 1970 with both Scottish & York Rites and Vance Masonic Lodge #293 since 2003. He became a member of the Oasis Shriners Temple in Charlotte in 1985 and was a member of Newbridge Baptist Church since 1938. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army-Aircorps during WWII and spent a year in India. Mr. Blackwell was a son of the late Olie Rufus Blackwell and Mary Emma Corbet Blackwell. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Alma Bonnie Chandler Blackwell who died January 29, 1995 and his second wife, Dorothy Dot Ammons Turley Blackwell who died October 19, 2009. Surviving are his son, Samuel Earl Sam Blackwell (Rebecca) of Kingsport, TN; daughter, Martha Lynn Marty Harrell (Mike) of Tybee Island, GA; grandchildren, Thomas Chandler Blackwell (Dana) of Hampton, NH and Jonathan Bradley Blackwell (Heather) of Cape Carteret; great-grandchildren, Cameron & Hillary; sisters, Rosa Erlene Allison of Kinston and Joletha Elice West of Mocksville; brothers, Julian Rufus J.R. Blackwell of Woodfin and Burnice Eugene Gene Blackwell (Ruth) of Arden; several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held 11 A.M. Saturday at Locust Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Clark E. Henderson and the Vance Masonic Lodge officiating. The Lodge will open at 10 AM Saturday. The family will receive friends following services at the Fellowship Hall of Locust Grove Baptist Church. Flowers are appreciated or for those that wish memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 31 College Place, Suite D-320, Asheville, NC 28801-2644.