Burnice "Gene" Blackwell
August 4, 1932 ~ April 5, 2016
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Burnice E. "Gene" Blackwell, 83, of Arden, died Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock.
Mr. Blackwell was born in Buncombe County to the late Ollie Rufus Blackwell and Mary Emma Corbett Blackwell. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Rose Allison and Joletha West; two brothers, Earl and J.R. Blackwell and a son-in-law, Bryan C. Shuler.
Gene is survived by his wife Ruth Ward Blackwell; daughter, Terry Shuler; one grandson, Kevin Shuler; one granddaughter, Allison Shuler and several nieces and nephews.
Gene served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict. He attended Blanton Business College and retired from Cranston Print Works with 32 years service. He was a charter member of Arden First Baptist Church where he served in several leadership positions. He was also an avid outdoorsman with interests in hunting, fishing and golf.
A memorial service will be held Friday, April 8, 2016 at 11:00 am at Arden First Baptist Church on Sweeten Creek Road.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial donations may be made to the Elizabeth House, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731 or to Arden First Baptist Church, 3839 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden, NC 28704.
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Our hearts go out to you at this time of sorrow. We know God will comfort you and your family and surround you with his love always. You will be in our prayers.
Ruth you and your family are in my prayer for God to give you comfort and peace the days ahead. Gene will be missed by many but he is out of his pain now.
I am so sorry to hear about Gene, he was a good friend. We worked together at Cranston for about 30 or more years.
Gene Blackwell was one of the sweetest people to ever walk this earth. He and Ruth were such a comfort to me and my father during my father’s final illness. When my dad decided he was ready to go and announced to me that he wasn’t going to eat anymore because ‘it’s time to let go’, Ruth and Gene would bring his favorite foods and tempt him into eating. The tender moments were when Gene would come over, sit on the side of my dad’s bed and spoon feed him ice cream – all the time talking about their favorite subjects like the two of them had done for so many years. That was the kind of man Gene Blackwell was – and will continue to be for all of us who were privileged enough to know him.
Dear Ruth and Family –
Our thoughts and prayers are with you with the HomeGoing of Gene.
May God’s grace and Love meet all your needs.
Our love comes to you!
Ruth and Family, We are losing a good friend, but we know he is with his maker. Gene was such a nice & likeable man. He will be missed by all who knew him. I know your pain but we know he is not hurting anymore. I been thru losing my soul mate ,you never get over it but god helps you every day to go on with your life. Friends and Family are big helpers too. Don’t know what we would do with out them. We love you and Terry and our prayers will be with you I am here if you ever need to just come and talk. .
Very sorry about Gene. He was well loved by all.
We are praying for the family.
I remember my Dad speaking fondly of Gene. They worked together at Cranston for many years. My sincere condolences!
I am so sorry for your loss. Gene was a dear friend of mine. My thoughts and prayers are with you
We are saddened by the news of Gene’s Passing. We went to Church with the Blackwells at Arden First Baptist Church for many years. Gene was well liked and will be missed. May God Bless you and help you to bear this great loss.
We were so very blessed to have known Gene. He was a very good and faithful servant. Your family is in our prayers.
Ruth, Terry and family, our sympathy and prayers to each of you. May the Holy Spirit give you strength to face each day. In HIS love, Retha and Jim
Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell have been a presence in my life since I can remember. My mother spoke of you in the most special way. There was a bond among those charter members and this remained for all who joined for years and years to come. Ruth and Terry, may you know peace in God’s loving arms. In Christ’s Love,
Dear Ruth & Terry, I want to convey our deepest condolences from the whole Wentz family. We all remember Gene with fond memories from visiting in your house and through the work relationship you had with Daddy. There are no words to use to help ease the loss of a husband and father but we wanted you and the rest of the family to know we are thinking of you. With our regards, Jean Wentz on behalf of Lynda Wentz, Jackie Dettmar, Jay Wentz and Jill Grouse.
Having been raised in the family of Arden Baptist, Gene was always a constant presence. The community has lost a wonderful disciple as God welcomes Gene home. Peace be with you – Ruth and Terry.
What a wonderful, jovial, smart, handsome man he was. I am so blessed to have had the great pleasure of knowing Gene Blackwell. Tears are flowing as I write this. I will miss him so much. Rest in His Perfect Peace my friend. May God give Ruth,Terry and family peace and comfort in knowing that he is with his Savior. I love you, Nancy
My name is Kathy Jackson. I lived up the street when I was a child. Ruth and Terry I am so sorry for your lose. May God give you peace and comfort during this time.