Funeral services for SGT Richard Alan Blackwell Sr., of Carrollton, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17 at Bible Baptist Church in Greenwood, with private family burial in McBride Family Cemetery in Greenwood. Rev. Glenn Waller will officiate the services. Pallbearers will be Will Taylor, Chris Blaylock, Austin Montgomery, Patrick Montgomery, Blake Herring, and Cody McCrory. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Hargrove, Nathan Blunt, Jay Wilson, Don Corbin, William Buckley, Brandon Ott, Kevin Ott, Terry Wayne Campbell, Carl Chaffin, and posthumously, *A. Bradley Cooper and *Ronald Randazzo.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 17 from noon until service time at the church.
SGT Richard Alan Blackwell Sr., 56, passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson. He was born in Greenwood on June 30, 1966. He was a US Army Veteran, obtaining the rank of Sergeant, serving in Desert Storm. He was team leader of Section A 1st Platoon Alpha Company 1/5 Cav 1st Calvary Division. During his service, he received many accolades, most notably, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars. He worked earlier in life as an auto-parts salesman, but most recently, he was the co-owner/operator of Vaiden Farm Supply in Vaiden. He loved to travel, ride his motorcycle, loved his family, and was crazy about his grandchildren. He was a member of Bible Baptist Church in Greenwood.
SGT Blackwell is survived by his two sons, Richard Alan “Little Ritchie” Blackwell Jr. (Kimberly) of Brandon and James “Bird” Blackwell (Jennifer) of Winona; loving fiancée, Becky Wammack; father, Jimmy McBride of Greenwood; three sisters, Beth Montgomery (Patrick) of Carrollton, Donna Pearson (Greg) of Winona, and Brooke Ott (Jeffery) of Hernando; brother, Jason McBride (Bethany) of Horn Lake; seven grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Judy Ann Dallas McBride; and two fellow squad members who were killed in action during their service together, A. Bradley Cooper and Ronald Randazzo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to John 3:16 Ministries by mailing to 75 Holmes Rd, Charlotte, AR 72552 or online at www.tithe.ly/give, or to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation by mailing to 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306 or online at www.dogood.t2t.org/give.
Oliver Funeral Home of Winona, Inc. 
Donna and Becky-We are so sorry for the loss of your loss of Richard.
LikeLike
To my nephews Ritchie and Jay and my great nephew and nieces. To his sisters and brother I extended my deepest sympathies and prayers in the coming days. Love Teresa
LikeLike
Such a dear man. I will always treasure his friendship. Sending prayers and love to his family, especially Becky and Donna.
LikeLike
Ritchie was a good friend. Always in a great mood. He will be missed by many
Class of ’84
LikeLike
I didn’t have the pleasure of growing up with all of my cousins but was always treated like the little sister, and Richie was no exception. He always treated me so sweetly and I will forever miss him and wish I could be with the rest of the family during this time of sadness. I send all my love and sympathies to you all. To Jay and little Richie I send my strength and love. Love Karen Dallas Williams
LikeLike
Sorry for you loss. Served with Sgt. Blackwell during DS. I ate the same dirt with him and will never forget the day when he hit me on the side of my helmet. He yelled you ran through a mine field!!!
Halfway down the trail to Hell in a shady meadow green,
are the Souls of all dead troopers camped near a good old-time canteen,
and this eternal resting place is known as Fiddlers’ Green.
Marching past, straight through to Hell, the Infantry are seen,
accompanied by the Engineers, Artillery and Marine,
for none but the shades of Cavalrymen dismount at Fiddlers’ Green.
Though some go curving down the trail to seek a warmer scene,
no trooper ever gets to Hell ere he’s emptied his canteen
and so rides back to drink again with friends at Fiddlers’ Green.
Until we meet again.
LikeLike
He loved his friends dearly and had recently told me this. He will be missed by many.
LikeLike
May God give each and every person especially Richard Jr. and his family, Jay and his two children as well as their mother my neice Vicky peace and strength during their time of grief. May God bless you all.
LikeLike
We are so sorry Donna! Many prayers for you and all of the family! He was such a sweet man that had an easy smile.
LikeLike
Prayers for you all.
LikeLike
I am so broken hearted over this news. My thoughts and prayers go out for each and everyone of you. May God give you all the strength you need to get through this.
LikeLike
I don’t even know what to say. I am heartbroken for my Sons, Rich and Jay Momma is here whenever wherever. We shared a lot and you will miss. Pappaw you are the first Daddy that was there for him no matter what. I am so sorry that you lost your rock, your son. Becky I am sorry for your loss. Kim, Jennifer I am sorry just know I am here. Donna, Brooke, Beth and Jason your brother fiercely love all of you.
Rich I will miss you always,…. 🪖🪖🪖🪖🪖stand down trooper your mission is complete🪖🪖🪖🪖i can’t put into words what to say we shared 30 years, two sons and three beautiful grandchildren and our lives together were wonderful. I mean NO disrespect to anyone. I love and always will we shared to much not to.
LikeLike
So sorry to hear of Richie’s passing. He was a great guy. Love and prayers for family and friends.
LikeLike
Rich I will never forget you & Robert doing the ice cream dance/song at Ft. Hood! Playing Skipbo for hours & hours.
Richie, Jay & Vicky I am so sorry for your loss.
RIP 💔
LikeLike
Richard I will never forget playing Skipbo for hours upon hours & you & Robert doing the ice cream dance/song for the ice cream truck to stop at Ft. Hood!
Richie, Jay & Vicky I am so sorry for your loss.
RIP 💔
LikeLike
Richie I can’t believe you are gone. You will definitely be missed by many. Richie and Jay I am so sorry for your loss for my heart is with you. I am praying for you all I love y’all very much.
LikeLike
Richard was a great friend of mine and went to school with him he was 2 years younger than me. I’m so so sorry for your loss. Prayers lifted for all the family.
LikeLike