J. Neal Blackwelder

J. Neal Blackwelder, 79, of North Little Rock passed away Sunday, September 9th, 2012. He was born October 8th, 1932 in Bethany Township (Iredell County), North Carolina to the late, William P. and Margaret Blackwelder. Just after graduation in 1951, Neal joined the Navy where he would serve the next four years. A couple of years later, on April 3rd, 1953 he married Ruth McAuley. They would enjoy each other's companionship for the next 57 years; Ruth passed away last year, on September 19th. In 1971, they decided to make Arkansas their new home. They started up Sunshine Uniform Service, as part of the Rental Uniform Services Company. This business eventually grew to include a plant in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1996, it was time to retire; they sold their business to Cintas Corporation. During his life he participated in various civic organizations to include: Master Mason since the early 1950's starting in Statesville, N.C. migrating to a lodge in Sherwood, Ark., Lions Club member, member of the Scimitar Shrine in Little Rock also participating in the Roadster Patrol enjoying the many parades of the miniature shrine cars and Little Rock Executive Association, who made him an honorary member after retirement. He, along with his wife, Ruth, was one of the founding members of Wesley Memorial Methodist Church in Statesville, N.C. and an active member of Indian Hills Methodist Church in North Little Rock, Ark, now First United Methodist Church, often driving one of the church buses and working in the church office once per week. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Ruth M. Blackwelder; his brother, Wade Blackwelder; and sister, Mary Blackwelder Kennard. Cherishing his memory are his daughter, Cindy Blackwelder Jones of McRae, Arkansas, Carol Blackwelder Christy, and her husband Jesse of Austin, Arkansas; son, Barry Blackwelder of North Little Rock; two grandchildren, April E. Christy attending Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas and Michael J. Christy of Austin, Arkansas; and his brother Bill Blackwelder of Suffork, Va. He was loved and admired by many friends and family, and will be missed by all who knew him. A celebration of Neal's life will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, September 21st, 2012 at First United Methodist Church-North Little Rock, with Bros. Brent Higdem and Ben Jordan officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time in the fellowship hall. The online obituary, guestbook, and memorial tribute are available at www.griffinleggettresthills.com. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), or to Friendly Chapel of the Nazarene( www.friendlychapel.org).