Clarence Blackmon Jr.

HUNTSVILLE Clarence Blackmon, Jr. age 68, of Huntsville, passed away March 1, 2011, at UAB West Medical Center. A memorial celebration honoring Mr. Blackmon will be held Monday, March 7, 2011 at New Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1730 11th Avenue, Bessemer, Alabama, 35210, at 4 p.m., with viewing two hours prior to the celebration. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 1:30 p.m., at Cornerstone Baptist Church located at 610 Brookdale Drive, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, with Bishop Ernest L. Palmer officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Oak Memorial Park with Van Hoose and Steele Funeral & Cremation Service directing. The body will lie in state two hours prior to services at the church.

Mr. Blackmon was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on December 23, 1942 to Mr. Clarence Blackmon Sr. and Ms. Lillie Belle Cade Shade Blackmon.

He accepted Christ at an early age at West Highland Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

In the course of his educational endeavors he attended the Tuscaloosa City School System and graduated from Druid High School with honors.

While there he excelled in football as well as basketball. He was offered numerous academic and athletic scholarships.

He continued his education at Colorado State University while receiving his bachelor's degree in biology and later a master's degree from University of Alabama-South. He taught and coached high school basketball at U.S. Jones in Demopolis, Alabama from 1967-1971. He went on to teach and coach at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama for over 10 years; followed by teaching and coaching at Jess Lanier High School and Bessemer City High School until his demise. Mr. Blackmon had an extraordinary Athletic and Professional Career. He dedicated his life to teaching, coaching and helping all students that may be in need.

Mr. Blackmon was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife Annette S. Edward Blackmon of Huntsville, Alabama; one daughter, Lisa Blackmon (Ricardo) Marchand; two grandsons, Devyn Christopher Marchand and Garret Adam Marchand of Jacksonville, Florida; one sister, Lillie Blackmon (Charlie) Ayers of Detroit, Michigan; two stepsons; Craig (Glynda) Edwards and Reginald (Coutrecy) Edwards; and aunts; Mary Bell Shade (Jerry) Russell, of Birmingham, Alabama, Rosie Shade of State College, Pennsylvania, and Annie Bell Blackmon of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He also leaves a host of other relatives and friends.