Mr. Robert Lee Blackwell, a proud Veteran of the United States Army, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023 at home with family. The son of Clara Mae and John Henry Blackwell and the eldest of 13 children, Robert was born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC.

At the age of 19, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army. He valued this service highly and retired as a Staff Sergeant after 20 years. His military decorations for his honorable and heroic service include the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal (with five campaign stars).

Family was the highest priority to Robert and he spent many years during his retirement driving to visit family and attend family celebrations such as birthdays, reunions, and graduations. Robert could always be found on the dance floor getting down, typically being the first one up and the last to leave. Eventually he returned to Winston-Salem, where his home became a frequent gathering place for family celebrations and cookouts, allowing him to spend his final years dancing, singing and creating memories with his family and friends. Robert never met a stranger and anyone who knew him was aware of his catchphrase "I'm scared."

Robert was preceded in death by his father, his brother John Henry Jr, and his sisters Tanya and Ellena.

Robert is survived by his wife Deborah; his children, Haliym, Shannon, Samantha, Rakim, Heidi and Brittany; his mother Clara Mae; his brothers Wendell, Rory, Timothy, Donald, and Wayne; his sisters Catherine, Fannie Mae, Denise and Sharon; his "number one" sister-in-law Yonnie; thirteen grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 3:30pm Saturday, January 6, 2024 in Hooper Funeral Home chapel with family visitation preceding at 3pm.