Bubba Blackwell, 95, passed away Saturday, May 26, 2018. A man of great integrity, Bubba lived his life with his family always first on his mind. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jeannine P. Blackwell, four children: Jim Blackwell (Malissa), Dr. Jamie Blackwell, Dr. Laura Blackwell Clark, Beth Cross (Chuck), nine grandchildren:
Eddie Clark (Audrey), Lisa Vegors (Josh), Christy Campos (Santos), Tim Grommersch (Laura Lee), Jamie Cross, C.J. Cross (Emily), Chris Cross, Nick Blackwell (Victoria) and Travis Blackwell. There are sixteen great-grandchildren with another on the way. Bubba retired from Shelby County Criminal Court after a long career of 37 years. He proudly served in World War II having been drafted in 1943 at the age of 19. He was a member of the 275th Infantry Regiment, 70th Division. In the European Invasion, Blackwell and his unit went ashore in Normandy at Utah Beach, D-Day Invasion. After Cherbourg fell, Blackwell's unit was assigned to guard 200 German prisoners at Bricquebec. He said the prisoners were happy to be out of the war. After the war Blackwell attended Ole Miss, where he was a student trainer of the football team and catcher on the varsity baseball team. After receiving his bachelor's and master's degrees, Blackwell resumed his pre-war job working for the Illinois Central Railroad. Blackwell made many friends while serving in the Army and during his years at Ole Miss. In 1952 he was asked by E. H. Crump to fill the vacant position of Criminal Court Clerk, an elected position which he held for 37 years. He was an avid golfer; the Bubba Blackwell Senior Golf Tournament is held annually benefiting the Page Robbins Adult Day Center.
Blackwell's daughter, Beth Cross of Southaven, is Executive Administrative Assistant to the Board of Education for DeSoto County Schools. Daughter Dr. Laura Blackwell Clark of Murfreesboro is Faculty and Director of the Center for Educational Media at Middle Tennessee State University. Daughter Dr. Jamie L. Blackwell is a retired pediatrician now living in Collierville. Their son, James A. Blackwell Jr. (Jim) of Knoxville, worked for FedEx for twenty years. He took early retirement, went back to school, got his master's degree in education, and is now a high school teacher at Knoxville Catholic High School.
Blackwell often said about himself, "My philosophy of life is to love people and use things. Not love things and use people."
Visitation will be 10:00am to 1:00pm on Friday, June 1 at High Point Funeral Home at 3788 Summer Avenue with funeral services to follow at 1:00pm at the funeral home. Interment with full military honors will be held at Forest Hill Midtown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Capleville United Methodist Church located at 4725 Riverdale Road, Memphis, TN 38141, or a charity of their choice.