George Basil Blackwell

(March 23, 1935 – February 25, 2023)

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins for George Basil Blackwell, 87, of Seminary, who went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Covington County Hospital in Collins, Mississippi.

Minister Jim Morton will officiate the services with interment to follow in the Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery in Seminary. Music will be provided by Jennie Blackwell.  Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins will be in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, 3302 Hwy 49, Collins, Mississippi.

Pallbearers will be Jacob Crowder, Joshua Crowder, Josh Gipson, Beau Palmer, Mike Blackwell, and Roni Sumrall. Rio Graves-Blackwell and Doug Broadus will be honorary pallbearers.

Mr. Basil was born on March 23, 1935, in Seminary, Mississippi, to Hurst and Winnie Blackwell. He was raised in Seminary and later moved to Jackson, where he worked as a car salesman at Herrin-Gear Chevrolet for 40 years before his retirement at the age of 62. A member of Alta Woods Baptist Church in Jackson, Mr. Basil loved the Lord and enjoyed watching preachers on television for hours daily. His favorite bible verse was Hebrews 12:15, which says, "See to it that no one misses the grace of God."

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Womack Blackwell; son, George Basil "Buddy" Blackwell, Jr.; parents, Hurst Tom and Winnie Mae Bullock Blackwell; brother, Hurst Douglas Blackwell; sister, Betty Lou Blackwell Palmer; grandson, Brocklyn Graves-Blackwell; daughter-in-law, Miriam Graves-Blackwell; brother-in-law, Gene White; sister-in-law, Gloria Blackwell.

Survivors include his children, Rio Graves-Blackwell of Diamondhead, Mississippi, and Wendye Blackwell Lanier (Ricky) of West Columbia, South Carolina; grandchildren, Amity Gipson (Josh) of Diamondhead, Jacob Crowder of Columbia, South Carolina, and Joshua Crowder of West Columbia; brothers, Billy Blackwell and Scotty Blackwell (Bonnie), both of Hattiesburg; sister, Sue White of Seminary; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

The Blackwell family wishes to extend a special message of gratitude to the staff of Covington Ridge Retirement Home for the exceptional care Mr. Basil received during his time there.

Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.billymkingcolonialchapel.com.