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Samuel Blackwell Obituary
November 3, 1944 -
July 10, 2025
Samuel "Sandy" Francis Blackwell was born to Horace and Edith Blackwell in 1944. He grew up in Dungannon, VA, graduating from Dungannon High School in 1963, and receiving a Bachelors in Education from East Tennessee State University in 1967.
He became an educator and coach at Gate City High School in 1967; enjoying a career of three decades.
He was an avid sportsman, outdoorsman and life enthusiast.
He particularly expressed his sense of fulfillment in the enduring friendships that shaped his life, and the joy of finding new ones.
He passed peacefully on July 10, 2025 at Wake Forest University Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC.
Samuel is survived by his sons with the late Sue Ella Boatright-Wells, Samuel (Kristin) and James (Ruth) and his step-children with the late Brenda Blackwell, Michael (Christy) Pauley, Karen (David) Fitzpatrick, and David Pauley, his grandchildren, Chelsea (Mark) Staylor, Mackenzie and Samuel Pauley, his brother Doug (Anna Lee) Blackwell, his sister Lennie Story, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Edith Blackwell, his wife Brenda, his brother Michael, and his son David.
The family encourages friends, in the spirit of celebrating Sam's life, to casually present themselves at the Scott County, VA Golf Couse event facility, Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 11-2 pm.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Blackwell
Tony Gardner
August 29, 2025
Spent a lot of enjoyable times playing basketball, baseball, and tennis with the "Sandman". I always lost to him in singles, but my wife and I sometimes beat up on him and his partner in doubles. He was a great competitor and a really great guy . Always great to be around. Tony Gardner
Peggy Dempsey
August 15, 2025
I was blessed to know Sandy. Sandy had a kind spirit about him and always made a person feel comfortable being either his tennis or pickleball partner. Sandy will be missed by all of us. Prayers for his family.
Rex and Lisa McMurray
August 14, 2025
Knew coach at school. Sosorry for your loss. Hadn't seen him since graduation.
Lynn Musick
August 13, 2025
Always will be Coach to me, never could bring myself to call him Sandy. He was a great coach ( we went undefeated in JV under his tutelage) He was always encouraging to me when playing basketball or in my adult years tennis or pickleball together. He was always kind, friendly and supportive of me. He will be sorely missed.Godspeed Coach.
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Walker Harris
August 13, 2025
I am so sorry for your loss. I haven't seen Coach Blackwell since graduation, but I was in the same class as Sammy and visited a few times during the years of school
Contrinia Anderson Payne
August 13, 2025
I am so sorry for ur loss Ioved Coved Coach Blackwell so much when I was in school PRAYERS for all of the family
Ed and Robin Pullen
August 12, 2025
Sandy was one of the first person persons to reach out to me after I retired. We played a lot of tennis at first and later moved to pickleball. He was always ready for
A game and loved when new people wanted to learn. Some days he played 4 or 5 hours! Robin and I will miss him
Ed and Robin Pullen
August 12, 2025
Sandy was one of the first person to reach out to me after I retired. We played a lot of tennis and then pickleball. He loved that game and went out
Of his way to introduce the game to anyone interested. Robin and I always liked his calm demeanor and his nice smile.
Susan Todd
August 12, 2025
I´m very sorry for your loss. I went to school when he coached there.
Michael & Karen Manis
August 12, 2025
Sandy was a great guy! We enjoyed being his friend and pickleball partner. Prayers for his family.
Kathi Boyd
August 12, 2025
So sorry to hear about Sandy´s passing. Prayers for the family.
Kathi Boyd
Tucker Coleman
August 12, 2025
I have great memories of playing tennis, pickleball, basketball with Sandy and many of his friends. Enjoyed many telephone calls with Sandy discussing his many fishing trips with his brother, Doug, two of the best fishermen in Scott County. Will miss his calls to see if I could meet him at the tennis or pickleball courts. Tucker Coleman
Lisa Jennings Bishop
August 12, 2025
Coach Blackwell was my High School basketball coach as I remember him as a great person and coach . Prayers for his family .
Dwight E. Williams
August 12, 2025
I am sorry to hear of Coach Blackwell's passing. He was a good and fair coach. He was always nice to me. May God bless his family during such a difficult time.
Joan Leonard Hobbs, class of 197272
August 11, 2025
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Coach Blackwell will be remembered by many.
Karen Wampler Gabbert
August 11, 2025
Sandy was always fun to be around. Loved his sweet smile and good hugs!!
Linda Addington
August 11, 2025
I´m so sorry to hear of Coach Blackwell passing. He was a coach at GCHS when I was in school there. My thoughts and Prayers are with his family and friends !
Sandy Chapman
August 11, 2025
Sandy was a coach when I was in high school. Later years I worked with him at G.C.H.S. Sending prayers .
Rhonda Pierson
August 11, 2025
I'm So sorry to hear Mr. Blackwell passing
I remember when he came to gate city high school. All the girls had a crush on him.
.
Skip Wininger
August 11, 2025
I am sorry to hear of Coach Blackwell's passing. I always enjoyed his PE classes. He was always good to me. My prayers are with his family.
Tony and Jennie Gardner
August 11, 2025
My husband Tony and I will always cherish our friendship with Sandy. We played tennis together for many years. I also coached the girls´ JV Basketball Team at Gate City with Sandy as the Head Coach. He was a wonderful friend and will be greatly missed.
Rhonda Gillespie
August 11, 2025
I am sorry for your loss. He was a good person and I know you will miss him.
Sue morris
August 11, 2025
Sure will miss him a dear friend
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