Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service
John Norris Blackwelder, 86, of Charlotte died peacefully November 11, 2022 at Atrium Health Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. A proud native of Statesville, NC, he was the son of Norris Monroe Blackwelder and Thelma Godby Blackwelder.
John is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sara (Sally) Hough Blackwelder and their children, Paul Wright and his wife, Jennifer and Sarah Wright Robinson; his former wife, Sally Barnett and their children, Lucy Stephens and her husband, Louis, John Blackwelder and his wife, Heather and Martha Neal Blackwelder; and grandchildren, Louis and Sarah Stephens, Neal, Leo and Drew Blackwelder and Lucas, Weldon and Brooks Wright.
John was born and raised in Statesville, NC where his father ran a successful furniture store. Following graduation from UNC Chapel Hill where he majored in economics and navy sciences, John would serve two years of active duty followed by thirty years of reserve duty in the US Navy. While at Chapel Hill he was in NROTC, the Scabbard and Blade as well as the KA fraternity.
Following his active duty with the Navy, John returned to his beloved Statesville where he joined his father's furniture business and began to make transformational changes to the way that furniture was marketed to the consumer. He was the first to use consumer catalogues along with telephone and internet marketing. In addition to being President of Blackwelder Furniture Company, he founded John Blackwelder International Export Company and was one of the first to market American furniture to the European market. He traveled extensively throughout the world and would continue to travel following his retirement at age seventy-four. While living in Statesville, John's community service included serving on the Statesville City Council and as Mayor Pro-tem.
John was a devoted member of Myers Park United Methodist Church where he enjoyed teaching Disciple Bible Classes and was a member of the New Covenant and Logos Sunday School Classes. He participated in several mission trips to Haiti. John was also an accomplished private pilot. A passionate and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, John will be remembered for his love of life, his family, and his many friends.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 18, 2022 at Myers Park United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends in Jubilee Hall following the service.
Memorials may be sent to Myers Park United Methodist Church at 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207.
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.
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Statesville Record & Landmark
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