Charles Thomas Blackwell

Charles Thomas Blackwell (Charlie) of Pensacola, Florida, AKA Jim, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the age of 89. He was born on July 20, 1936, in Red Level, Alabama, where his father worked as a sharecropper and his mother, a homemaker and self-taught master quilter, lovingly raised five children. After graduating high school and serving in the U.S. Air Force, Charlie went on to receive a Finance for Non-Financial Managers Certificate from the Auburn University School of Business. He worked as a Manager of Information Services for 38 years with the Gulf Power Company and retired in 1995.

Charlie was supportive and actively involved in many church programs. He first was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church and went on to be an active member of the Olive Baptist Church for over 50 years, where he taught Sunday School and was well-loved as “Mr. Charlie” by many children of the community. He sang in the choir, assisted senior citizens, directed Church Training, coached softball and basketball, and served on numerous committees. He was the originator of the Energy Efficient House named “Good Cents.” He was also a member of the Pensacola Rotary Club and recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Charlie was a huge fan of University of Alabama Roll Tide, loved to play Spades, and was an avid birdsman and hunter.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles E. and Kathleen Blackwell; two sisters, Kathryn (Kay) Barrow and Max Silcox; his daughter, Anna Layne, and son, Barry Blackwell. He is survived by his sisters, Diane (Alexis) Fowler and Antoinette (Toni) Foutz; his daughters, Sheree (Bob) Stewart, Linda (David) Blackwell-Bentley, whom he shared with his former wife, Marie McElderry; and Katie (Shawn) McCrea, whom he shared with his former wife Judith Jernigan, as well as his grandchildren Eric (Kendra), Lindsey (Andrew), Brittain, Devin, Gordon, Claire, Trinity, Shawn and his great-grandchildren Kenleigh, Junior, Lacey, June, and Drew.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Plainview Baptist Church. The family will receive guests one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Bayview Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to the Plainview Baptist Church.