Bobby Joe Blackwell

Bobby Joe Blackwell passed away Friday, September 19, 2025 at his home following a prolonged illness. He was ninety-five years old; eighteen days shy of his ninety-sixth birthday and four years and eighteen days shy of his goal which was “to make it to a hundred.” Bobby Joe was born on Monday, October 7, 1929 to George Washington (yes, really - the military man filling out the paperwork didn’t believe him or Uncle Paul either) Blackwell and Lula Myrtle (Hammers) Blackwell. Bobby graduated from Jackson High in 1950.

In his youth, Bobby delivered groceries on his bicycle for Cochran’s Grocery for fifty cents a week. Years later, Mrs. Cochran gave him the store. Many people have fond childhood memories of visiting his store after school to get candy. Mama told us there were many occasions when Daddy gave food “on credit” to people who could’t afford groceries, and then he made little to no effort to collect those debts. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35).

Daddy was in the National Guard for twenty-two and a half years. BJ became a firefighter in 1970 for the Jackson Fire Department and retired in 1999; he probably enjoyed cooking (although his repertoire was limited) for the other firefighters more than he enjoyed entering into burning structures - I think the first time he entered a burning house, he was encouraged/assisted by a kick in the behind from the firefighter behind him.

Mama and Daddy always provided what we needed, and often what we wanted, and Daddy hardly ever spent any money on himself. He never had a credit card or a checkbook. He kept cash in his pocket and would say, “Do you need any money?” while the rest of us were busy with our comings and goings. I remember thanking him one time as he handed me some money to which he replied, “that ain’t nothing for a swinger.”

I made the mistake once of referring to a person as “white trash.” Daddy said, “Gavin, don’t ever call a person trash; that’s a human being.” My daddy was a follower of Jesus Christ. He believed human beings were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), and he lived his life loving. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).

Daddy liked to say that he taught me everything I know, which I didn’t believe was true; however, as I reflect and remember him, I realize he (and my mama) did teach me about the most important thing in life…love. In a world where you can be anything, be kind. In these difficult times, we need more human beings like my father, and he will be greatly missed.

Bobby was married to Doris Marie Williford on February 17, 1963 until her passing on June 7, 2023. He is survived by: his favorite daughter, Lori (Blackwell) Freeman and her husband Steve Freeman and their children Colton Brooks Freeman (his wife Hope) and Kacie Marie (Freeman) Bowen (her husband Andrew); his number one son, Gavin Blackwell and his children Stella Blue Blackwell and McKenzie Rain Blackwell.

Arrington Funeral Directors and Crematory (148 W University Parkway, Jackson, TN, 38305) will be the location for Bobby’s visitation (10 AM) and funeral service (11 AM) on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. The funeral service will be followed by a graveside burial ceremony at Ridgecrest Cemetery (200 Ridgecrest Road, Jackson, TN, 38305). Roger Ellsworth will officiate.

Our family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice (especially Kennedy) for taking care of our father. We are thankful for the outpouring of love from friends and family members who have reached out to us to let us know how Bobby Joe Blackwell made their lives (and this world) a better place by being here.

Pallbearers include: Paul Blackwell, Jr., Andrew Bowmen, Colton Freeman, Steve Freeman, Billy Hopkins, and Edward Taylor.

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