Roger Dale Blackwell

Roger Dale Blackwell, age 70, of Florence, formerly of Hartsville, passed peacefully in his home surrounded by family with his favorite dog in his lap on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025 from 3:00pm until 5:00pm at 124 Erwin Road Hartsville, SC. The family will receive friends at Hoffmeyer Road Baptist Church from 1:30pm until 2:30pm on Sunday, July 27, 2025 with a memorial service following immediately after with Reverend Gregory Batchelor officiating, directed by Norton Funeral Home, Hartsville.

Roger was a devoted member of Hoffmeyer Baptist Church being actively involved in “The Story” bible study group, Sunday School, and The HRBC Visiting Team where he went door-to-door sharing the Word. He believed it to be worth a day full of knocks if he could move at least one person to develop a relationship with Christ.

Outside of his involvement in the church, at every opportunity presented, Roger used his story telling ability to spread the word of God while connecting it to everyday life, making it relatable for all who would listen.

The epitome of the American Dream, Roger came from a place and background where the generational expectation was to contently work at the local cotton mill, but his vision was greater. Without a high school diploma, while working as an industrial contractor, he took electrical classes through the mail leading to his 35-year career at Duke Energy where he worked his way through the ranks to eventually serve in critical roles such as Project Planner, Scheduler, and Supervisor. In doing so, he found purpose and joy in being able to create a life for his children with the opportunities that he never enjoyed in his early life.

Following his tenure at Duke, he turned his eyes toward seeing the world. Without hesitation, he applied for and accepted a position at Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Al Dhafra of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi where he spent his final full year in the nuclear industry.

After retiring, he began investing his time in his grandchildren attending ball games, giving batting lessons, going on ice cream dates, taking trips to the swimming pool, and most importantly – leading as an example showing the power of prayer and faith in the Lord. He was elated to share with the entire family that one morning while taking Emory to school this year, she asked if they could say a prayer in the car line before she began her day.

He also spent his final years of life traveling with his Connie Ree to Israel, Greece, Turkey, Italy, California, Las Vegas, and Alaska. On their final trip together, Roger insisted they fly first-class because Connie had never done so (unbeknownst to her, he knew this would be their final trip). A few months before going home to the Lord, Roger, who was the least flashy and most frugal, knew Connie had always wanted a BMW and was insistent that he see her behind the wheel of her dream car – it all made sense a few months later.

Those who knew Roger know he embodied strong work ethic, organic integrity, and he unapologetically loved his family and friends with all his might. He enjoyed spreading wisdom through storytelling and could capture the attention of any room he walked in.

Roger was an avid Golfer, which he enjoyed with many of his “golf buddies,” his brother Jerry, and his sons. Often, afternoons were spent napping to the sports channel, he loved watching golf, baseball, and football. He shared his love of sports with his family and coached both of his sons in Northern League Baseball. He enjoyed making people laugh with his random burst of song lyrics. He was a very intellectual man who loved reading, especially about the word of God and history. He was a Star Wars fan, even naming his favorite dog Yoda.

While he will be missed dearly, his loved ones enjoy comfort in knowing he is now home, and his presence will be felt in their hearts forever. His life was a reflection of strength, kindness, and unwavering love — a legacy that will continue to guide all who knew him.

He was the son of the late Geraldine Mackey Blackwell of Lancaster, SC and Fred Phillips of Kershaw, SC, the late Harold Blackwell; brother of Jerry Dean Blackwell and the late Kenneth Harold “Bull” Blackwell; devoted husband to, in his words, “Connie Ree” Blackwell; Father of Donna Faye Wiggins (Lawton) of Hartsville, Stephanie Marie Brown of Hartsville, Brandon Shane Blackwell (Whitney) of Florence, Ian Casey Blackwell of Summerville, and Kimberly Floyd Johnson (Deon) of Lake City. Grandchildren: Allison Blair Hill, Gabriella Elizabeth McKenzie, Leah Grace McKenzie, Emory Leigh Blackwell, Roxton Dale Blackwell, Joseph Tate Blackwell

Great Grandchildren: Knightly Hill

Preceded in Death by daughter, Jennifer Floyd Lee (Marcus) of Florence, SC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations on behalf of Roger to be contributed towards the HRBC Fellowship Hall Building Fund, P.O. Box 3905, Florence, S.C. 29502.