J. Blackley

Julius Lawrence Blackley, 87, of Concord, passed away peacefully, Monday evening, Jan. 1, 2018 at Tucker Hospice House, surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 29, 1930 in Zebulon NC to the late Gladys Bunn Blackley and Julius Samuel Blackley. Lawrence grew up on the farm and early learned the value of hard work, and passed that quality along to his children. He graduated from Wakelon High School, Zebulon, and completed the ICS Surveying Course and was a licensed surveyor. In 1950, he moved to Concord NC and worked for 32 years for the NC Dept of Transportation, retiring as a Highway Engineer. Lawrence was a revered surveyor in the area, and continued to work as self-employed owner of J.L. Blackley Land Surveying for 25 years. In Sept of 1951, he married the love of his life, Doris Verble Blackley, and they recently celebrated 66 years of marriage. Lawrence was a longtime member of McGill Baptist Church, and in earlier years, a member of the Jackson Park Lions Club.

Surviving family members include Wife, Doris Verble Blackley; Sons, Steve Blackley (Kathy) of Asheboro and Dean Blackley (Janice) of Mooresville; Daughters, Ann Blackley Wall (Randy), Susan Blackley (Brad), both of Concord, and Jane Blackley Simpson (Phillip) of Harrisburg; Grandchildren, Hannah Murr, Melissa Murr McNeilly, Steven Blackley, Rebekah Stover, Anna Blackley, Sarah Blackley, Wes McLemore, Brett Blackley, and Garrett Simpson; Great-grandchild, Julian Samuel McNeilly; Sisters, Elsie Pearce Suppes, Faye Pearce, Lovie Puryear, all of Zebulon; brother, Wilbur Blackley (Brenda) of Thomasville; and many loving nieces and nephews, who cherish his memory. In addition to his parents, Lawrence was preceded in death by his infant son, William Earl Blackley; sisters, Lillian Pearce, Estelle Baker, Tillie Puryear; his triplet sister, Florence Blackley, and his triplet infant brother.

The Blackley family will receive friends from 6-8pm on Thursday evening, January 4, 2018 at Hartsell Funeral Home, Concord. A service to honor Lawrence’s memory will be held at McGill Baptist Church on Friday, January 5, 2018 at 2pm, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Steven Ayers. Burial will follow at Roberta United Methodist Church Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Hopkins Chapel Baptist Church in Lawrence’s hometown of Zebulon NC.

Memorials may be made to McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Rd, Concord NC 28027 or to the Cemetery Fund of Roberta UMC, 3925 Cochran Rd, Concord NC 28027.

Lawrence was a wonderful family man, a hard worker, and a unique, spirited and humorous person. He taught us well, and his memory will live forever in our hearts!

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Blackley family.