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Mr. James Lester Blackwelder, 93 of Wilkesboro, passed away Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 at Watauga Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held 12 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 at Journey of Grace Baptist Church with Pastor Tim Pruitt and Rev. Joe Woodward. Burial will follow in Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Mocksville. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m.-noon prior to the service at the church.

Mr. Blackwelder was born Jan. 8, 1931 in Davie County to Charlie Joe and Vetra Estelle Chaffin Blackwelder. He served in the Nation Guard for 13 years with the rank of Sergeant 1st Class. He received the Distinguished Award and Man of the Year 1962 for the Jaycees. Lester was a member of Journey of Grace Baptist Church where he was Sunday School teacher, deacon, choir member. He graduated from Mocksville High School.

He is preceded in death by: his parents; his wife, Ruby Jean Sheets Blackwelder; a sister, Mary Woodward; and 4 brothers, his twin Leslie Blackwelder, Hardin Blackwelder, Lloyd Blackwelder, and Dwight Blackwelder.

Mr. Blackwelder is survived by: 2 sons, Ron Blackwelder and wife Jennifer of N. Myrtle Beach, SC, and Steve Blackwelder and wife Anne of Cabool, Mo.; 10 grandchildren, Stephanie Ard, Jared Blackwelder, Justine Reece, Jason Blackwelder, Esther Clinton, Emma Halbach, James Blackwelder, Rachel Palmer, Lauren Riley, and Ethan Blackwelder; 15 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Coleen Brown.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Journey of Grace Baptist Church, PO Box 248, North Wilkesboro NC 28659.

Online condolences: www.reinssturdivant.com.