We are grateful to have shared life with Roger Dale Blackwell, and we want to honor not a life lost, but a life beautifully lived.  Roger passed away on December 7, 2025 at the age of 78, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Roger was born on January 7, 1947 to James L. and Banner H. Blackwell in Langdale, Alabama. 

In 1969, he married Faye Helms Blackwell, whom he met at freshman orientation at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and they had four children – Tracy Kidd, Stephanie McClung, and Chad and Greg Blackwell (the twins).

He was a Mechanical Engineer who started his career at the nuclear plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and then specialized in the sheet metal fabrication business for fifty years, leaving his business to his two sons. 

Roger’s hobbies included playing golf (until he decided it was no longer fun); flying his airplane (which included one flight with him as the pilot and his  family of 6, much to Faye’s dismay); hunting deer (he killed two with one shot on an occasion); boating (he taught several children and grandchildren to water ski); eating great food; building and driving fast cars; riding his motorcycle; building and fixing things (precisely, with his engineering mind); watching action movies; traveling across the world; watching and supporting his children and grandchildren in their many, diverse extra-curricular activities; and spending time with his family.  However, his favorite role in life was being Faye’s romantic, sweet, loving, and wonderful husband (aka ‘her Elvis’).  For a special birthday, he took Faye to Las Vegas as a complete surprise, such that her kids had to pack for her, and he had her visiting several airport gates before taking her to the right one.  Their love is the most special, and one that everyone who knows them has seen and felt for themselves. 

Roger was a dedicated Christian, who served First Baptist Church of Fort Mill as a Sunday school teacher, usher, member of numerous committees, RA leader, deacon, and chairman of the deacons.  He brought numerous people to know Jesus Christ as their Savior, and everyone who knew him saw the love of Jesus in him.   

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, James L. and Banner H. Blackwell.  He is survived by his wife Faye, his daughter Tracy Kidd (husband Michael) and granddaughters Lauren Tipton (husband Ryan) and Kelsie Kidd, daughter Stephanie McClung (husband Ron) and grandsons Jordan Anderson and Keegan McClung and granddaughters Taylor and Aubrey McClung, son Chad Blackwell (wife Julie) and granddaughters Marley and Reese Blackwell, and son Greg Blackwell (wife Cathy) and granddaughters Maggie and Meredith Blackwell and grandson Brody Blackwell.  He is also survived by his sister Donna Simmers (husband Joe) and her family.

A celebration of life will be held in the Worship Center at First Baptist Church in Fort Mill on Wednesday, December 10 from 1:30-2:30pm, with visitation from 12:30-1:15pm in the Fellowship Hall.  There will be a private graveside service.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Fort Mill and VIA Health Partners, a Hospice Organization.

M. L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, Lake Wylie, SC is serving the family of Mr. Blackwell.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.