Extracted from The Laurel Leader-Call (Laurel, MS)
Albert S. Blackwell
Albert S. Blackwell, 69, of Escatawpa, died Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006, in Mobile, Ala.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, at the Escatawpa Baptist Church, with burial in Serene Memorial Gardens Garden of Valor in Moss Point. He will be accorded full military honors at burial. Dr. Greg Johnston and the Rev. Todd Bowen will officiate.
Born Dec. 31, 1936, in Laurel, he was the only son of Sidney L. and Katherine K. Blackwell. Serving the Mississippi Army National Guard, 184th Transportation Brigade, he retired following 41 years of meritorious service from 1955-1996. Only due to mandatory retirement age did he leave, for he loved the Army soldier?s life. He contributed greatly to the successful accomplishments of all missions with commendable achievements and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of military service. A highly decorated veteran, he attained the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the NCO Professional Development Medal (three), the Army Reserve Achievement Medal (two), the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Medal, the Army Service Medal and multiple ribbons and other awards. He was a recipient of an Expert Sharpshooter Medal, in which he took great pride. He received the Mississippi Commendation Medal, 1982; The Mississippi Magnolia Medal, 1996; a Meritorious Service Award, NCO Association, for 2001; the Command Sergeant Major?s Award, 1996; Meritorious Service Award, Enlisted Association of the National Guard Auxiliary, Salt Lake City, Utah, August 2006; and the American Minutemen, 1998.
He retired in 1996 from Northrop Grumman's pipe department, after 30 years of distinguished service. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed freshwater fishing on the river, deer hunting, vegetable gardening, traveling and antique cars, and he always had a work in progress in his shop, whether it be a bush-hog or a tractor. Owing to his namesake, he was a Civil War history buff and a collector of guns. Never one to pass up a Waffle House at home or on the open road, he loved its coffee and conversing with friends at a favorite place.
A resident of the Escatawpa community, he was an active Christian member of Escatawpa Baptist Church since 1971, and a deeply loved husband, father, grandfather and brother.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney L. and Katherine K. Blackwell; a niece, Jamie Johnson; and an uncle, Roscoe Kitchens
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Myrtle Blackwell; two daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Herman Rushing of Moss Point and Tammy and Jay Sheridan of Houston, Texas; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff and Kim Blackwell and Bill and Kim Blackwell, all of Moss Point; three granddaughters, Linsea Holloman of Gautier and Katherine Blackwell and Natalie Blackwell, both of Moss Point; a sister and brother-in-law, Seretha and J.D. Maddox of Moss Point; a sister, Benitha Brewer of Laurel; an aunt, Delma McCullough of Laurel; an uncle, Winford Kitchens of Seminary; National Guard comrade and best friend, Dan McGill of Laurel; numerous friends and colleagues in the Mississippi National Guard; and his beloved dog, Sox.
Pallbearers will be members of the Mississippi Army National Guard Honor Guard Team. Honorary pallbearers will be Dan McGill, Jim Bounds, Don Cooley, Charles Turner, Jim Bishop, Oakley Lollar, Paul Moore and Don Hamrick.
Those who wish may sign an online register book at www.heritagefuneralhome.us.
Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa is in charge of arrangements.
Saturday, November 25, 2006