At the first anniversary of his passing, my heart is especially heavy. May God comfort us all: family and friends as we remember the good times, the worship times, and especially the Christmas huge family "get-together" and meal at the Jack Parham family farm. A. Jack never missed his "drop-by" visit, and we ALL enjoyed having him as a part of our family. Keep your faith and hope in God for that day when we will ALL be together again!!!

Today is the highlight of A.J.'s year -- a celebration honoring all military personnel, soldiers past and soldiers who gave it all. He was so missed at the Memorial Day Honorary program today, NEVER to be missed by him, but we had to share him with the angels on December 1, 2016, and although our hearts are broken, we know that heaven is a happier place even than before. Keep the candles burning until we're all one BIG family again, A.J. The last time we had a fun time together (just the two of us) was the tour we took on his restored 1940 Ford, which was one of his treasures!!! Love forever!

Growing up in the Mountain Creek area, we were neighbors to all the Blackwells. AJ will be remembered as one of them. We have a lot of fond memories. Prayers going out to the family. He will be sorely missed.

Mr. Blackwell was our friend and a beloved member of the Kerr Lake Fords Car Club for many years. We are so saddened to hear of his passing. He loved Fords, and we enjoyed fellowship with him and his lovely wife, Norma, at the club meetings. He was highly respected and will be greatly missed.

We will miss our friend "AJ Blackwell" - always considered him family and his family our extended family because of our father John Shearin who loved his Navy comrade dearly! Love to the family and prayers coming your way....

A.J. was the kind of person every father wanted his son to be like and every son wished his father would be like. His smiling face will sorely missed at the American Legion. Rest In Peace my Navy comrade..

The Shearin family is sad to hear of AJ's passing. He and my father, John, were like brothers and I am sure they are together now talking about all the things they loved and had in common. He will be forever missed and our thoughts are with his family now.

A final salute to a favorite cousin, Alex Jack (A.J). Blackwell, a Veteran of WWII, upon whom the United Daughters of the Confederacy bestowed the most coveted and prestigious award presented by that organization, the Bronze Military Star, along with the same award going to each of his twin brothers; Elwood T. and Elbert Parham, at the Division (North Carolina) Annual Convention, October, 2014. A.J. wore his medal with great pride almost constantly. The qualifications for this award to be bestowed is that one must have served in US Active Wartime Service, and be the descendent of a Civil War Veteran. Both their great grandfathers served in the Civil War. Only one survived the war. The three of them served in the Pacific, the sons of Charles R. and Bertie Parham Blackwell. He was a community and church leader and enjoyed his life's vocation, dairy farming. His soft voice and easy smile will long be remembered. He was a member of the choir at Mountain Creek and has now joined the heavenly choir which his uncle, D. A. (Jack) Parham is undoubtedly leading as he is welcomed to his home on high. May God join us as we mourn his loss, but even in our mourning, it is comforting to know that he will be waiting for us when we reach the heavenly gates.

Prayers for the family. The Hart family and the Blackwell family have a deep bond. I have fond memories of AJ and Elaine while growing up in the Mt. Creek community.