Romans 8 35: " Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" Mr. Emerson Blackwell, was born in Iredell County on February 23, 1941 and was the son of the late John Henry Blackwell and Bessie Lee Jones Blackwell. He passed away at the Accordius Health in Statesville on Friday, October 4, 2019, following an extended illness. He attended Statesville City Schools and was a member of Highland Acres Church of Christ. He worked as a Machine Operator with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by siblings, Roosevelt Blackwell, Fanita Adams, Robert Joe Blackwell, Calvin Blackwell, Geraldine Blackwell, Patricia Steele and Terry Blackwell. Mr. Blackwell leaves to cherish the memory of his life, his children, Emerson Donnell Blackwell, Jr. and Anthony Blackwell, both of Charlotte, David Blackwell of Bennettsville, S. C., Rodney Blackwell and Steven Blackwell, both of Statesville, Cynthia Blackwell of Chesterfield, SC, Emerson Blackwell, III of Hartsville, S.C., Rona McBride, Gail Peterson, Chris Turnage and Jeffery Turnage, all of Chesterfield, S.C., Joshua Blackwell of Salisbury, and two sons from Florida; one brother, James (Victoria) Blackwell, of Statesville; three sisters, Dana McCullough of Statesville, Sarah Horne of Mooresville, and Helen Vinson of Macon, GA.; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, neighbors, church family and friends. In tears we saw you sinking And watched you fade away Our hearts were almost broken We wanted you to stay But when I saw you sleeping So peacefully and free from pain How could we wish you back with us To suffer that again It breaks our hearts to lose you But you did not go alone For part of us went with you The day God called you home. Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Monday, October 7, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at Highland Acres Church of Christ. Al Simmons will officiate. Members of the family will receive friends at the church from 12:30 p.m. until 1:00 p.m., but will assemble at the church prior to the service. Visit the Book of Memories for Mr. Blackwell at www.rutledgeandbigham.com. Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Blackwell Family.