Bishop L.T. Blackshear, 92

BRIDGEVILLE - Lieutenant Thomas Blackshear, went to his heavenly reward on Friday, Sept. 19, 2008. He was 92. Bishop Blackshear was born in Moral, Ala., to the proud parents of Frank and Esther Bell Blackshear. One of eleven children, Lieutenant was raised in the town of Samson, Ala., where he attended public schools and later met and married Sylvia E. Smiley of Lake Helen, Fla. They moved north in the early 1940's, resided in Bridgeville for several years, and then moved to New Castle County. Being a conscientious man whose steps were ordered by the Lord, Lieutenant T. Blackshear joined the church under the leadership of the late Elder W.L. Jones of Gethsemane Church of God in Christ, where God called him into the ministry. He served as Assistant Pastor for several years until appointed pastor of Mt. Calvary Temple COGIC by District Supt. C.L. Hammonds Sr. God blessed Elder Blackshear to travel all over the country by evangelizing, holding tent revivals, establishing churches and missions. During that time, Delaware had only three churches. Through his dedication to the church, he was appointed District Superintendent of the Southern District, and it was then that the Delaware Jurisdiction began to grow. Elder L.T. Blackshear was consecrated Bishop of the state of Delaware Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ in 1960 by Bishop Charles Harrison Mason. There are now 18 churches serving under his leadership. He has been a member of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., Memphis, Tenn., for 72 years, a preacher for 71 years and a pastor for 70 years. One the national level, he is presently a member of the National Board of Bishops for the Church of God in Christ; a member of the Rules Committee for the General Assembly and the Constitution Committee of the General Assembly. He is a former member of the Resolution Committee for the Board of Directors, and also nominated for the National Board of the Church of God in Christ, three times. Bishop now pastors two churches: Bibleway Temple Institutional COGIC and New Holy Trinity COGIC. He over-see's three others churches: Miracle Tabernacle COGIC, Solid Rock COGIC and the Mother COGIC. He has physically built five churches and renovated many others. On the state level, he has served as District YPWW president, State YPWW president for fifteen years, State Expediter, member of the Board of Ordination, and a Bishop for 48 years presiding over the Delaware Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ. Other accomplishments/awards: He has received the following outstanding service awards: From the Church of God in Christ (1972), from the Mayor of Dover (1976): Outstanding Citizens Award from the NAACP (1976), Outstanding award from the Concerned Citizens of the State of Delaware and Congratulations from the 128th General Assembly of the House of Representatives (House Resolution No. 147). He has served on several Boards of Education, Civic Organizations, and until his death was the Dean of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance in Kent County. Bishop L.T. Blackshear holds degrees from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Ill.; New York Theological Seminary; a Doctor of Divinity and a Doctor of Law Degree from the National College of Canada. His passing was peaceful and in the presence of his family. He had the opportunity to say good-bye to his wife, children, grandchildren, other family and friends. He preached his last message on his death bed using the scripture Psalm 27:5. He was married for seventy years to a very special person, Mother Sylvia Elizabeth Smiley Blackshear, whom he leaves to cherish his memories along with their five children, Elder Charles L. Blackshear Sr. (Vivian), Esther B. Blackshear, Ruth A. Lewis (Joseph), Lieutenant T. Blackshear Jr., and Sylvia V. Holsey (Thomas); 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Nancy Ford; two brothers, Royce and Willie; one brother-in-law, and two sisters-in-law; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, his church family and many, many friends. A public viewing will be starting at 8 a.m. and commencing until 7 p.m. Thursday at Bibleway Temple COGIC, 56 S. Kirkwood St., Dover, with funeral services to follow at 7 p.m. National funeral services will be noon Friday at Bibleway COGIC, 56 S. Kirkwood St., Dover, where friends may also call two hours prior to the services. Entombment will be in the Sharon Hill Mausoleum, Dover. Arrangements are being handled by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.