George L. Blackwell

Williamston, NC On Friday afternoon, February 17, 2012, God in His infinite wisdom and divine love called Reverend Dr. George Lincoln Blackwell to his eternal home. "Link," as he was affectionately known, was born in Dinwiddie, VA. to the late Reverend Dr. William A. and Clayvonne A. Blackwell. As a child of the parsonage, he lived in Courtland VA; Schenectady, Syracuse, Elmira, and Lackawanna, NY; and in Charlotte and Statesville, NC. He married the late Geraldine Gordon Blackwell, the daughter of the late Bishop and Mrs. Buford F. Gordon. His wife of 48 years predeceased him on February 2, 1996. To this union were born three daughters. In preparation for his ministerial calling, he matriculated to Livingston College in Salisbury, NC (BA Degree); Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC (Master of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity Degrees); and New York University Graduate School in New York City (Master of Religious Education Degree). He did further studies at Hartford Theological Seminary and the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Blackwell pastored congregations in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Illinois. It is evident that he had a passion for youth for he became the National Youth Director of the Christian Education Department of the A.M.E. Zion Church. This passion led him to become the General Secretery- Treasurer of that department in 1967 for 25 years. During his nearly 70-year career as a minister and national leader in the A.M.E. Zion Church, Dr. Blackwell has traveled the world, shaken hands with four United States Presidents, sat briefly in British Parliament, and even had a brush with the Pope. Some of the other ecumencial groups in which he had been a part of include: the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA through its various divisions and units; The Consultation of Church Union; the International Society of Christian Endeavor; World Methodist Council; The World Council of Churches; Boy Scouts of America; Trustee of Livingstone College; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (he was the last surviving charter member of the Gamma Mu Chapter); Judicial Council; NAACP; Denominational Ministries and Lay Associations; Chairman of the Conference Board of Christian Education; Conference Institute Dean; Episcopal District Institute Instructor; and the Martin County Ministerial Association, which he headed and served the community in countless ways, often times bringing comfort to those outside his own flock. George Blackwell exhibited a deep interest in human rights and played an active role in bringing about social change. He opened doors for all races at the YMCA's in New Britain, CT and Hackensack, NJ, by becoming the first African American member of each organization. The New Jersey Bergen County Council of Churches became more responsive to its commitment and witness by electing him as its first African American President. He was a charter chapter member of the Bergen County Chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality, participated in Freedom Rides, Sit-Ins, swimming pool picket lines, and the memorable March on Washington led by the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1964. George Blackwell had the privilege of being seated in the fourth row. In 1992, Dr. Blackwell moved to Williamston, NC and began a new phase in his ministry as the Pastor of Canaan Temple A.M.E.Z church in Edenton, NC. His final service in the ministerial capacity was at Williams Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, here in Williamston, where he continued to lead his membership with spiritual wisdom and guidance. During this tenure he remarried in 1997, to the former Ms. Vivian Scarborough,who is now deceased. She brought into this union a son and two granddaughters. Left to cherish his memory are his three daughters, Evang. Clayvonne McElrath (Elder Ronald) of Hope Mills, NC; Denise Smith of Apex, NC; Brenda Thomas (Ray) of Lansing, IL; grandchildren, Elder Ronald McElrath (Andreta) of Suwanee, GA; Gerlanna Dickey (Brian) of Hope Mills, NC; Monika Thomas of Chicago, IL; Johnathan Smith of Apex, NC; great-grandchildren Aaliyah McElrath, Caleb Dickey, Zaiden Thomas; sister-in-laws, Catherine Blackwell, Elberta Gordon, LaVerne Wood; nieces, Catherine Hoffman, Martelle Eley; nephews, William Sherman Blackwell, Jr., Alan King Blackwell; grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and a host of relatives and friends. A visitation will be held on Friday, February 24, 2012 from 1-5 pm at Manson Mortuary, Inc. Williamston, NC and on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 1:00 pm at Cedar Hill Baptist Church in Williamston, NC. The service will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Cedar Hill Baptist Church in Williamston, NC with Bishop Richard K. Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Williamston, NC.