Memorial services for George B. “Buddy” Blackwell Jr. of Meadville are 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.

Visitation is Saturday from 1 until 4 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Blackwell, 53, died Feb. 27, 2013, at his home. He was born in Jackson on July 6, 1959.

Mr. Blackwell was a retired master sergeant for Mississippi Highway Patrol. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Smithdale.

He was also a member of Old Miss M Club – Track and Field, MHP Swat Team, MHP Pistol Team, and was a MHP driving instructor and a tactical training officer at MLEOTA. He was also a member of Franklin Co. 5th District Volunteer Fire Dept. and Lake Okhissa Sewer Board.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Frances Womack Blackwell; maternal grandparents, Roy and Maude Womack; and paternal grandparents, Hurst and Winnie Blackwell.

Survivors are his wife, Debra Boyte Blackwell; father, Basil Blackwell of Seminary; brother, Rio Graves Blackwell and wife, Miriam, of Diamondhead; sister, Wendye Lanier and husband, Rick, of Columbia, S.C.; and mentor and friend, Dr. Milton “Bud” Matthews of Pearl.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials and contributions be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 8556 Berrytown Road SE, Meadville, MS 39653, or to your favorite charity.

To express your thoughts to the family, you may visit riverwoodfamily.com and click on his name to leave a comment.