ELON, NC - Mr. Warzell Howard Blackwell, age 96, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Gibson House Ancora Compassionate Care Hospice.

Public viewing will begin on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 from 12 until 6 p.m. at McLaurin-Harris Funeral Home, 721 East Morehead Street, Reidsville, NC.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 26, 2026 from the Trinity Baptist Community Center Church, 10625 Hwy 150 East, Reidsville, NC. Visitation with the family will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by the service at 2 p.m. Reverend Tommy Williamson will officiate and Pastor Angela Fountain, eulogist.

The committal and interment will follow in the Trinity Baptist Community Center Church Cemetery, Reidsville, NC.

Warzell Howard Blackwell was born on September 20, 1929 to the late William McKinley Blackwell & Lillian Turner Blackwell.

He only had a 6th grade education, but no one would have ever known. He was a hardworking man his entire life. He retired from Burlington Industries and was also a farmer.

He professed his life to Christ late in life at Browns Chapel Baptist Church. He later moved his membership to Trinity Baptist Community Center Church where he served as an usher until his health would no longer allow. After which, he became an honorary usher.

He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Irene Inez Miller Blackwell; his siblings, Bert Blackwell, Azzie Blackwell (Betty), Mary Blackwell Summers (Herbert), Willie Rogers Blackwell (Connie) and Herbert Blackwell; sons-in-law, Freddie Cummings and Michael Bernard Cobb, Sr.

He leaves to cherish his precious memories: children, Ava "Mimi" Cummings, Avery Blackwell, Dale "Bobo" Blackwell (Myra), Phyllis Cobb and Valerie Gwynn; sister, Patricia Leach (Mack); sister-in-law Frances McCannon; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; a host of relatives and friends.

Service by McLaurin-Harris