Deacon Bobby James Blackshear Sr., 75
Deacon Bobby James Blackshear Sr. was born April 23, 1948, in Alamo, to Alberta (Blackshear) Billings (Johnnie) and L.C. Geter (Mary). He was the husband of Rudena James Blackshear.
He graduated from trade school in Alamo May 23, 1968. Shortly after, he was drafted into the United States Army and served his country from Sept 14, 1969, until Aug. 13, 1974. He received the following decorations: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device. After the Army, Bobby attended South Georgia Technical and Vocational School.
Bobby begins dating his wife, Rudena James, shortly after attending school. The two married on May 19, 1977. He worked at the Egg Plant in Lumber City and Hazlehurst Mills, where he retired after working for 30 years.
Bobby found his faith and became a member at Bennett Tabernacle Holiness Church. In 1985 he received the Holy Ghost and lived a saved life until his departure. The first time he sang in church after receiving the Holy Ghost was, “God has smiled on me.” Bobby was not a singer; his famous quote if asked to sing, “I sing solo, so low you cannot hear me.” His singing after receiving the Holy Ghost lets everyone know how the joy of the Lord filled his life. He he served many years as a deacon, and became Chairman Deacon at Bennett Tabernacle.
HHis favorite thing was taking his boat to the lake and fishing. His wife and children loved that he would clean and fry the best-tasting fish.
He loved watching old Western TV shows. He was a father, husband, brother, son, and friend. He loved his family and made sure at least one time out of the year to make the long trip to Belle Glade, Fla., to visit his mother, stepfather, and siblings.
Preceeding him in death are his mother Bertha Mae Billings, stepfather Johnnie Billings Sr., biological father L.C. Geter, and stepmother Mary Geter, brothers, Samuel Lee Billings, and Johnnie Billings Jr.
Survivors include his wife Rudena Blackshear of Hazlehurst; sons Bobby Carroll (Jeana, Mary Carroll mother), of Macrae, Bobby James Blackshear Jr,, Douglas, Freddie Lee Blackshear of Hazlehurst, Markeith Sharone Blackshear of Killen, Texas;ne daughter Regina Eason (Nick) of Statesboro; sisters Johnnie Renae Simmons (Anthony), Carol Ingram (Sammuel), Belle Glade, Fla., Marquita Billings of South Bay, Fla., Rasheka Billings of West Palm Beach, Fla., Frankie Collins of Tacoma, Wash.; brothers Freddie Guyton (Phyllis), David Billings (Chantey), Anthony Billings, Anthony Billings Jr. of Belle Glade, Fla., Selvin Billings (Cassandra) of West Palm Beach, Fla., Patrick Billings (Talessa) of Jacksonville, Fla.; four grandsons, three granddaughters, three great-granddaughters, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be June 30 5 to 7 p.m. in the chapel of King Brothers Funeral Home.
Homegoing celebration will be July 1 at 12 p.m. at Bennett Tabernacle Holiness Church, 26 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Hazlehurst.
Burial will follow in Hazlehurst Memorial Cemetery with military honors.
King Brothers Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Hazlehurst, is in charge.
