Mr. Markeith Sharone Blackshear, 41

Mr. Markeith Sharone Blackshear was born Oct. 2, 1982, in Hazlehurst to the late Bobby James Blackshear Sr. and Rudena Blackshear.
He graduated from Jeff Davis High School in 2001. At the time of his departure, Markeith was pursuing a degree in Business to become a music producer and songwriter at McLennan Community College.
Markeith was employed at Atmos Energy as a customer accountant supervisor at the Waco, Texas, contact center. He received a five-year award for outstanding workmanship at Atmos.
Markeith joined Bennett Tabernacle Holiness Church with his family as a toddler. He sang in the youth choir and spent summers studying the Bible to represent his church in the Annual Sunday School Convention Bible Bowl quiz, where he and his teammate won several trophies. He also sang in traveling gospel groups. In 2015, Markeith joined Waco Church of the Living God PGT. He was an active praise and worship leader, choir program coordinator, and backup musician, participated in plays and skits and was a deacon in training.
In 2001, Markeith recorded his first single at Play Ground Records entitled “My Hand,” andvbrecorded many singles and was featured with other artists on Apple Music and other sources. He was a well-known artist in Waco, and surrounding counties as a phenomenal singer and person. His logo can be found in “I am Markeith.”
One of Markeith’s favorite things to do as a child was fishing with his dad and siblings. He also loved animals and desired to be a veterinarian. He prepared to be the great artist he became through singing at shows with music he wrote. He would play his keyboard and sing in his spare time.
A beacon of light to whomever he encountered, he died Jan. 21.
Survivors include his mother, Rudena Blackshear, Hazlehurst; brothers Bobby Carroll (sister-in-law Jena) McRae, Bobby J Blackshear Jr., Douglas, Freddie L. Blackshear, Hazlehurst; sister Regina N Eason, Hazlehurst: many nieces and nephews and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins;
best friends/adopted sisters and brothers from Texas, Vanessa & Yvett White, Joquin Hubert, Tiara Brinson, Antoinette Harris, Jamacco Mumphery, Lesile, Savannah Buchanan, Shavoy Jacobs, Davon Sheman.
Senior Pastor Elder Eddie Harmon officiated his funeral at Bennett Tabernacle Holiness Church.
Active pallbearers were Irvin Kerr, Melvin McCutchen, Freddie Harmon, Nikita Singleton, Johnathan Roby, Demorrio Hansley and Deshay Hansley.
Honorary pallbearers were Ellis Freeman, Deacon Robert Griffin, Deacon Dywane Johnson, Deacon Dennis Drone.
Burial was in Hazlehurst Memorial Cemetery.