Kenneth Grady Blackwelder, 91, of Clemmons, N.C., passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the Hinkle Hospice House in Lexington N.C. He was born on January 31, 1934, in Mooresville, N.C., to the late Robert and Ressie Armstrong Blackwelder.

Mr. Blackwelder served four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, much of that time in Germany. He was a member of the Gresham Baker Post 66 and the Mooresville American Legion. Mr. Blackwelder was a former member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Davidson and a current member of First Baptist Church Welcome, where he was a member of the Larry Sides Sunday School class. He was a God-loving, family-loving, country-loving man. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Jim Blackwelder and Hubert Blackwelder; and sisters, Annie Crabb, Betty Pierce, and Ruth Torrence.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Barbara Carter Blackwelder; children, Kenneth Blackwelder, Elizabeth Bayne, and Jennifer Corso and husband Heath; along with seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Friday, November 28, from 1 to 2 p.m. with a service following at 2 p.m. at Hopewell Baptist Church, Davidson, with Rev. Sammy Pierce officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow the service in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Welcome, 404 Welcome-Arcadia Road, Lexington, NC 27295 and/or Hopewell Baptist Church, 18841 Davidson-Concord Road, Davidson, NC 28036 and/or Samaritan’s Purse Memorial Giving, PO Box 3000 Boone, NC 28607 (https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/memorial-giving/) and/or Hospice of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Blackwelder family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.