C.J. Blackwell, 78, of Elizabethton, went home to be with his Lord on Monday, January 25, 2016, from his residence, following a brief illness. C.J. was a native of Carter County and a son of the late Henry and Destie Johnson Blackwell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Goldie Pierce, Virginia Potter and Opie Osborne, and three brothers, Coburn Jack Blackwell, Claude Blackwell and Elmer Blackwell.
C.J. had been employed as a millwright and was a member of Oakland Avenue Baptist Church of Johnson City. He had a love of music that had endured throughout his life and was an avid Tennessee Vols fan, especially Peyton Manning. He was a “rock hound” and enjoyed playing and singing, and shared his love for music by singing Gospel music in churches and nursing homes.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 16 years, Virginia “Ginny” Whaley Blackwell, of the home; two sisters, Ruby Caraway, of Elizabethton, and Edith Duckworth, of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; and a brother, J.L. Blackwell, of Elizabethton. Several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews also survive.
A service to honor and celebrate the life of C.J. Blackwell will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 28, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Charlie Biggs and Rev. Roy Yelton officiating. Music will be provided by Ginny Blackwell and Seth Montgomery. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, prior to the service, or at either the home residence or the residence of his brother, J.L. Blackwell, at anytime. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, January 29, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Eddie Blackwell, Teddy Blackwell, Carson Biggs, Rob Carr, Scott Knight, Seth Montgomery, Jeff Allison and Dewey Hill. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Oakland Avenue Baptist Church and Rev. Kenneth Jones. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, at 10:15 a.m. Friday to go in procession. The family would like to extend a special thank you to hospice nurses, Pam Burdett and Greg Matney. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Oakland Avenue Baptist Church, 2823 E. Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, TN 37601, in memory of C.J. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Blackwell family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.