Obituary: James Nathan Blackwell Sr.

James Nathan Blackwell Sr., 84, of Abbeville, died Jan. 3, 2016.

Born May 1, 1931, in Newport, Tenn., he was a graduate of North Greenville University. He served as pastor of Nine Forks Baptist Church and Peter’s Creek Baptist Church in Pickens County. His last pastorate was West Side Baptist Church in Abbeville, where he served from 1964-1998 and founded West Side Christian School.

He received numerous recognitions for his service in emergency medical services. In 2000, Abbeville County EMS honored his leadership by naming the county control station the James Blackwell Emergency Operations Center.

Survivors include his wife, Lacerne Clark Blackwell; three sons; one stepson; two stepdaughters; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nell Carroll Blackwell.