C.R. "Blacky" Blackwell Sr., 76, passed away Sunday, July 20, at his home in Robinson. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 25, at Waco Memorial Funeral Home, with Jerry Freedman officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Waco Memorial Funeral Home.
Blacky was born in Nunnely, Tenn. He grew up in the Centerville, Tenn. area until 1950 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the Medical Corps during the Korean War. For his final three years of duty, he was stationed at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, until discharged in 1956.
Blacky grew up in a family of musicians influenced by mountain music. With a love for music, in 1948 Blacky played mandolin for Johnny and Jack and the Tennessee Mountain Boys, backing up country star Kitty Wells. While in the military, Blacky began playing country and western music. He formed his band, Blacky and the Country Gentlemen in 1970, playing country and western swing in the Central Texas area for 17 years. After retiring the band, Blacky dedicated his musical talents to the church. He retired as a roofing estimator and Vice President from Johnson's Roofing in 1997.
Blacky is survived by his wife, Patsy Ruth Blackwell, of Robinson; sons, Jesse Blackwell, of Lorena and C.R. "Randy" Blackwell Jr., of Sachse, Texas; daughter, Sally Whitfield, of New Diana, Texas; step-sons, Wade Kusler, of Lorena, Michael Kusler, of Woodway and Keith Kusler, of Waco; step-daughter, Kerry Chapman, of Robinson; nine grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; and sister, Lula Mae Prince, of Centerville, Tenn.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 7/23/2008
Blacky was born in Nunnely, Tenn. He grew up in the Centerville, Tenn. area until 1950 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the Medical Corps during the Korean War. For his final three years of duty, he was stationed at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, until discharged in 1956.
Blacky grew up in a family of musicians influenced by mountain music. With a love for music, in 1948 Blacky played mandolin for Johnny and Jack and the Tennessee Mountain Boys, backing up country star Kitty Wells. While in the military, Blacky began playing country and western music. He formed his band, Blacky and the Country Gentlemen in 1970, playing country and western swing in the Central Texas area for 17 years. After retiring the band, Blacky dedicated his musical talents to the church. He retired as a roofing estimator and Vice President from Johnson's Roofing in 1997.
Blacky is survived by his wife, Patsy Ruth Blackwell, of Robinson; sons, Jesse Blackwell, of Lorena and C.R. "Randy" Blackwell Jr., of Sachse, Texas; daughter, Sally Whitfield, of New Diana, Texas; step-sons, Wade Kusler, of Lorena, Michael Kusler, of Woodway and Keith Kusler, of Waco; step-daughter, Kerry Chapman, of Robinson; nine grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; and sister, Lula Mae Prince, of Centerville, Tenn.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 7/23/2008
C.R. "Blacky" Blackwell Sr., 76, passed away Sunday, July 20, at his home in Robinson. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 25, at Waco Memorial Funeral Home, with Jerry Freedman officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Waco Memorial Funeral Home.
Blacky was born in Nunnely, Tenn. He grew up in the Centerville, Tenn. area until 1950 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the Medical Corps during the Korean War. For his final three years of duty, he was stationed at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, until discharged in 1956.
Blacky grew up in a family of musicians influenced by mountain music. With a love for music, in 1948 Blacky played mandolin for Johnny and Jack and the Tennessee Mountain Boys, backing up country star Kitty Wells. While in the military, Blacky began playing country and western music. He formed his band, Blacky and the Country Gentlemen in 1970, playing country and western swing in the Central Texas area for 17 years. After retiring the band, Blacky dedicated his musical talents to the church. He retired as a roofing estimator and Vice President from Johnson's Roofing in 1997.
Blacky is survived by his wife, Patsy Ruth Blackwell, of Robinson; sons, Jesse Blackwell, of Lorena and C.R. "Randy" Blackwell Jr., of Sachse, Texas; daughter, Sally Whitfield, of New Diana, Texas; step-sons, Wade Kusler, of Lorena, Michael Kusler, of Woodway and Keith Kusler, of Waco; step-daughter, Kerry Chapman, of Robinson; nine grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; and sister, Lula Mae Prince, of Centerville, Tenn.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 7/23/2008
Blacky was born in Nunnely, Tenn. He grew up in the Centerville, Tenn. area until 1950 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the Medical Corps during the Korean War. For his final three years of duty, he was stationed at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, until discharged in 1956.
Blacky grew up in a family of musicians influenced by mountain music. With a love for music, in 1948 Blacky played mandolin for Johnny and Jack and the Tennessee Mountain Boys, backing up country star Kitty Wells. While in the military, Blacky began playing country and western music. He formed his band, Blacky and the Country Gentlemen in 1970, playing country and western swing in the Central Texas area for 17 years. After retiring the band, Blacky dedicated his musical talents to the church. He retired as a roofing estimator and Vice President from Johnson's Roofing in 1997.
Blacky is survived by his wife, Patsy Ruth Blackwell, of Robinson; sons, Jesse Blackwell, of Lorena and C.R. "Randy" Blackwell Jr., of Sachse, Texas; daughter, Sally Whitfield, of New Diana, Texas; step-sons, Wade Kusler, of Lorena, Michael Kusler, of Woodway and Keith Kusler, of Waco; step-daughter, Kerry Chapman, of Robinson; nine grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; and sister, Lula Mae Prince, of Centerville, Tenn.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 7/23/2008
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