Joel L. Blackwell, 87, of Honea Path and Augusta GA, died Thursday, March 8 after a brief illness.
The son of Richard “Ben” and Belle Blackwell, he was a World War II US Navy veteran and Purple Heart recipient who served his country in campaigns in both the North Atlantic and Pacific arenas aboard the USS Roosevelt and the USS Anderson. A Gunner’s Mate, 3rd Class, he was proud to have crewed on the ship which delivered the Bataan survivors home to the US.
He was retired from a career with Greenwood Packing Co. Carolina Pride. He was a member of First Baptist Church and was a former Mason, Lion’s Club and American Legion member.
Privileged to have had the love of two women, the late Argyll “Bunny” Pruitt, and his wife of 21 years Marjorie V. Blackwell, Joe is also survived by a son Joel M. “Marty” Blackwell and his wife Paula of Belton; a daughter Argyll B. Dorn and her husband Haynes of Flat Rock NC; four granddaughters: Traynham Dorn and her husband Anthony Locklear of Raleigh NC; Tasha Wright and her husband Keenan of Durham NC; Tai Dorn of Charlotte NC; and Kristin Blackwell of Belton; two great-grandchildren: Kobe and Laila Wright of Durham NC.
Graveside services will be held at 3 PM Sunday at the Garden of Memories. Visitation will be at 1:30 pm Sunday at Parker White Pruitt Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Building Fund at First Baptist Church, Honea Path.
Online condolences may be made at www.parkerwhitepruitt.com
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