D. G. "Doc" Blacknall

On February 7, 1916, Sam and Mary Sue Jones Blacknall welcomed to their family a handsome baby boy. They named him D. G. He was affectionatly called “Doc” by those who knew him. D. G. was raised in the Joan community. Nurtured in a Christian environment, D. G. gave his life to Christ at a young age and joined Pleasant Hill A.M.E. Church where he served as an usher. He later joined Mt. Morriah Baptist Church where he served as a Trustee. At the age of 26 he enlisted in the United States Army on February 15, 1942 at Camp Robinson. While in the Army he received several honors, medals and commendations including: Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon, American Theatre Campaign Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon and 4 Overseas Bars. He was honorably discharged on October 14, 1945. On March 2, 1945, believing God’s Word, “….and the two shall become one flesh….” he married the beautiful and sweet Bessie Olivia Newburn. The Lord blessed this union with the birth of Rosie, D. G. Jr., and Charles “Peter”. Doc retired from National Gysum in Gum Springs and was the past Vice-President of Pleasant Hill Cemetery. His pastimes included gardening, farming and raising cattle. On Saturday, October 24, 2009, in his 93rd season , Doc answered the call that no man can refuse and surrendered his soul to Christ. Awaiting his arrival and to welcome him home are his parents, son D.G., Jr. and son-in-law Rev. Lonnie Gill. Those left to celebrate his life and remember his legacy are his loving wife, Bessie of Arkadelphia; one daughter, Rosie Gill of Arkadelphia, AR; one son, Charles “Peter” and Paulette Blacknall of Arkadelphia, AR; two grandchildren, Lonya (Travon) Gill-Newborn of Arkadelphia, AR, and Charles “CJ” Blacknall of Arkadelphia, AR; two great-grandsons, Alontae and Kelton Newborn of Arkadelphia, AR; two sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Newburn of Arkadelphia, AR, and Molly (Alfred) Smith of Arkadelphia, AR; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and the Pleasant Hill AME Church and Mt. Morriah Baptist Church families. Doc will lie in state on Tuesday, October 27th from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD from 6-7 p.m. Final tributes to his life will be shared on Wednesday, October 28th at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Mt. Morriah Baptist Church where Rev. Vernon Moody, Sr., is the pastor and will preach the celebration message. The committal service and final resting place will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery with military honors. Bearers of the casket will be Meldine Ivory, Felix Newburn, William Newborn, Phillip Smith, Shunn Harrison and Arthur Tippin.