Joe Blackwell Funeral

Order of Service

Amazing Grace

Welcome

Great is thy faithfulness

Obituary

How Great Thou Art

Message

On Eagles Wings

Obituary

Joseph Thomas Blackwell of North Little Rock, 100, died September 5, 2023.

He was born June 8, 1923, in Hoxie, Arkansas, the son of the late Riley J. and Cora H. Blackwell. The family moved to Anderson, Indiana in 1935 and Mr. Blackwell graduated from high school in that city. He served in the Navy on the patrol craft Canastota, USS PC-1135 in the South Pacific during World War II. The crew of this vessel was awarded the Bronze Star for sinking a Japanese Submarine I-32 on the 24th of March 1944. Mr. Blackwell settled in North Little Rock after the war. It was then, through the help of his sister Bonnie Sue that he met Iris Lynette Yarbrough. They were married June 6th, 1946. Mr. Blackwell retired as Technical Service Manager of Arkansas Best Freight System in 1988. He was a member and deacon of Baring Cross Baptist Church. He was a former assistant Scout Master with Troop 185 of Gardner Memorial and Scout Master with Troop 300 at Baring Cross. He was also a recipient of the Order of the Arrow. In his earlier years he was an avid duck hunter and fisherman. In later years he laid down his gun and poles and picked up golf. Even in Dads early 90's we played his ball more often than one of ours in our brothers/dad matches. He is survived by two sons; Michael T Blackwell (Madeline) of North Little Rock, and Dennis J. Blackwell (Rhonda) of Maumelle; three grandchildren; Brittney L. Blackwell of North Little Rock; David J. Blackwell of Maumelle and Leah N. Blackwell of Maumelle; one great-granddaughter, Iris Olivia Schroeder of North Little Rock. He was predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Iris Yarbrough Blackwell; two sisters Vivian Salyer Dye and Bonnie Sue McGinley. The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude for the care their father received from the entire staff at Willow Grove Assisted Living in Sherwood and Willow Grove Memory Care Facility in Maumelle.

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 ESV

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

In his final instructions of the first letter to the Corinthians, Paul shares 4 imperatives in these short verses. These commands reflect something that a general might say to his troops before entering battle. They are a call to watchfulness and steadfastness in faith. And then Paul wraps them in a final command, one of love.

1. Be watchful

This command has a eschatological hint to it, calling the reader to be alert for the coming of the Lord. There exists also the idea of watchfulness against the enemy who is on the prowl.

2. Stand firm in the faith

The idea of this command is to hold firm on the foundation of one’s belief and not waver by the waves of the world.

3. Act like men

This command builds on Paul’s earlier warnings to avoid childish behavior, to grow up into maturity.

4. Be strong

Reminds of the words of Joshua to be strong and courageous, standing against the worldviews of the world around us. The reality of our faith in Jesus means that testing and trials will come, we must be strong to withstand.

5. Let all that you do be done in love

The crowning exhortation! In everything we do, we must do it in love. Love for God and love for others should drive us to live well.

As I have spent time this week reflecting on the life of our Christian brother, our father, or friend, I continually returned to Paul’s words here. Reflecting on memories made with Joe and conversations about Joe, these words continue to echo in the background.

Be watchful…stand firm…act like men…be strong…love well.

Joe exemplified these words in Scripture. Joe lived them.

As he overcame the challenges of childhood…as he served his country....as he fell in love and started a family…as he worked, served, and raised his children…as he willingly helped anyone and everyone do anything and everything. There was never a job too big or small. Never a moment to waste. Never an opportunity to let pass. Joe was there, ready to work with his hands, cultivating and creating in the world God has laid out for him.

How was he able to do all this?

Where did Joe find the ability to stand firm in this life?

Where did Joe learn steadfastness?

How was he able to live with strength and maturity and lead his family well?

The answer is simple....JESUS.

GOSPEL...

Joe has provided an incredible example to follow. One filled with character, commitment, care, and compassion.

If it’s ok with you, close with some of Joe’s own words. I want to share his heart with yours and may the warmth of his love fill you with a little joy on this day. Joe was a romantic and a poet. Here are few poems written for Iris:

Nov 2001

Happy birthday to the one I love,

I still believe you were sent to me by the one above.

The Lord has blessed us in so many ways,

Most of all he has given us all of these days.

Happy Birthday

I love you,

Joe

Feb 2008

Violets are blue and roses are red,

Why don’t you write me a poem she said,

I scratched my head and other parts,

to find the words that would gladden our hearts,

I love you in so many ways,

you help me get by all days.

Happy Valentine’s Day

I love you,

Joe

July 2008

Happy Anniversary honey - we made another year,

I am still happy as long as you are here.

We have been blessed with two fine sons and grandchildren too,

Soon we will be blessed with a great grandchild named after you!

Thank you honey for sharing your life with me.

I Love you,

Joe

Where did Joe learn to love well? Jesus.

You can experience the things too…if you would only learn from the example of our friend and put your faith in Jesus. Then, when your day comes…you will be rejoicing with your Savior forever!

Committal

Death is one of the ugly realities of life, a reality which we must all face. It separates the spirit from the body, a husband from a wife, a father from his family, and a friend from friends. We are torn by the loss of the person we love. Our gathering here is to honor the memory of our loved one. It is also to find comfort and affirm the hope of the Gospel. It is natural to have a reaction. From shock to grief…Whatever your reaction today, know that our Lord understands. The words in Isaiah 41 affirms us that “the Lord takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear I will help you.” Allow Him to provide comfort for you during this time.

Trust in the promise of God that Paul reminds us of in 2 Corinthians 4 — “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

This eternal glory, the hope of heaven, is found through belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Tony had that hope, and last week, that hope was fulfilled. In light of this promise God has given us in His Word and in as much as it has pleased the Lord in His sovereign wisdom and purpose to take him from our midst, whom we have loved, we now commit his body to its final resting place to await the fulfillment of another promise of Scripture. That day soon when we will be reunited with Jesus and Joe in glory.

In our grief, let us remember the words of Jesus from the gospel of John…

John 14:1–7 (ESV)

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the glorious hope and for the great consolation concerning those who sleep in Jesus as believers in Christ. May we remember that Jesus has prepared a place for those who have placed their faith in Him, and that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Now for those assembled today, May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.