A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he was a chief petty officer during World War II in the South Pacific.
He was an avid gardener and operated Westside Nursery for 20 years. He was a member of Four Point Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances S. Blackwell; son, Rodney Burke Blackwell; parents, John G. and Sarah A. Long Blackwell; six brothers; and one sister.
Survivors include his daughters: Mitzi Blackwell Thompson and husband, E. James, of Cleveland and Misty Blackwell Daniel and husband, Dennis, of Charleston; grandsons: Dr. Tyler Grayson Jones of Washington, D.C., Brian Daniel of Bocas del Toro, Panama, and Aaron Daniel and wife, Tawnya, of Cleveland; two great-grandchildren: Claire Daniel and Taj Thomas Daniel-Dukehart; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, in the chapel of Fike Funeral Home with the Rev. Ray Cheathem officiating.
Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens with military honors.
The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorials be made to Four Point Baptist Church, 3501 Old Tasso Road N.E., Cleveland TN 37312
We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Blackwell family guest book at www.fikefh.com.
