Funeral services were held Saturday, May 14, 2015 at Palestine M. B.Church, Oakvale, Mississippi for Mr. Readis Blackwell, Sr., 94, who died Thursday, May 5, 2016 at West Roxbury VA Hospital, West Roxbury, Va.  Rev. Johnny Pittman, pastor, officiated with interment following in the church cemetery.  Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Readis Blackwell, Sr. was born to the late Pearl Blackwell and Earnest Riggins.  He attended the Palestine Community School in Jefferson Davis County.  He was a member of Palestine M. B. Church where he served in many ministries before becoming a Deacon and later moving to Boston, Massachesetts in 2005.

He served in the United States Army.  He served in World War II, he was a part if D-Day, he learned to speak multiple languages and upon his return home, he welcomed his first child, Joseph McGee.
He met and married Louella Parkman and to this union, 9 children were born.
Mr. Blackwell worked with the gas pipeline as an explosive specialist and foreman, traveling all over the nation.

He was preceded in death by: wife, Louella Blackwell; daughter, Sarah Barnes, granddaughter, Quintessa Blakwell; brothers, Otis and Edgar Blackwell, Theodore, Dewitt, Timothy, Hubbard, Decatur and Alber Riggins; sisters, Arlee Bourne, Natha Riggins, Miree Blanchard, Bertha Hayes, Grace James and Letha Nichols.

He is survived by; sons, Joseph McGee, Willie (Yolanda) Blackwell, Readis Blackwell, Scott Blackwell,

Sedgie (Gwen) Blackwell, daughters, Lynder (Edward) Thomas, Brenda (James)Harmon, Barbara (Raymond) Martin all of Boston, MA; and Patricia (Royzell) Pitts of McDonough, GA; 21 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; brother, Alcee Blackwell of Oakvale,MS; many other relatives and friends.