Cletus Blackwell
Cletus W. Blackwell, 74, of Eolia died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018 at his residence.
Funeral services were Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m., at McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, Troy location. The Rev. Sam Lorton to officiate. Interment followed in Mill Creek Cemetery, Silex.
Visitation was Tuesday, Jan. 23 from 4-8 p.m., at McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1304 Boone St., Troy.
He was born on March 24, 1943 in Eolia to Dana and Sarah Rogers Blackwell.
Surviving are his beloved and devoted wife of almost 38 year, Paula Blackwell; his six children: Charlotte and husband Sam Nardi, Melissa and husband Jay Hurd, Sherry and husband Rick Jennings, Dwayne Blackwell, Carey Blackwell, Richard and wife Kerrie Laws; 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his brother, Preston Blackwell; his brother-in-law, Bradford Waddell and sister-in-law, Bessie Blackwell; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his two children: Daniel Laws, Laura Halliburton, and his three siblings: Jean Blackwell, Milford Blackwell and Laura Belle Waddell.
Cletus had four older siblings and was raised in Lincoln County. He loved adventure and especially loved racing his late model dirt-track race cars in the 70’s and 80’s. It was during this time that he met his sweetheart, Paula Fitzsimmons. After a three-year courtship, the couple was united in marriage on Feb. 15, 1980. For most of his working life, he worked in construction, working on the highways. Providing for his family was of the utmost importance to him. Spending time with his family and many friends was what he liked to do. Cletus enjoyed quail hunting and going to auctions. He never met a stranger and was a good communicator. Taking trips with Paula after his retirement was a great pastime for the both of them. Cletus was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Serving as pallbearers were grandsons J.D. Hurd, Zachary Hurd, Brendan Hurd, Austin Jennings, Christopher Laws, and Jordan Nardi.
Memorials may be made to Paula Blackwell, c/o the funeral home.
Family and friends are invited to sign our on-line guest registry at: www.mccoyblossomfh.com.
