Funeral services for Ralph Blackwell, 96, will be held at 11:00am Monday, April 28, 2014, from the graveside in H. Warren Smith Cemetery, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, with Jimmy Holderfield officiating. Masonic Rites will be conferred by Temple Lodge No. 23, F.&A.M. Born April 27, 1917 in Maysville, Georgia, Mr. Blackwell died Wednesday, April 23, 2014 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was a retired Yard Superintendent from Bellinger Shipyard. Mr. Blackwell was a member of Arlington United Methodist Church; a member and Past Master of Temple Lodge #23, F. a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, the York Rite Bodies, and Morocco Shrine. He was Past President and Past Director of Morocco Shrine Oriental Band and Past President of the Florida Shrine Oriental Band Association. Survivors include three daughters, Jean Bogar of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Ella Johnson of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Dr. Linda Ford of Bellevue, Nebraska; a son, Norman Ralph (Beverly) Blackwell of Jacksonville; two sisters, Geneva Bourne of Norcross, GA and Merdelle Revelle of Roswell, GA; a brother, Vernard (Martha) Blackwell of Stone Mountain, GA; nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home, 4140 University Boulevard, South, where the family will receive friends from 6:00pm until 8:00pm on Saturday, April 26th. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Ralph Blackwell's name to Morocco Shriners Transportation Fund, 3800 St. Johns Bluff Road, S., Jacksonville, FL 32224..VisitationSaturday, April 26, 201406:00 PM - 08:00 PM George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home4140 University Blvd., So.Jacksonville, FL 32216GravesideMonday, April 28, 201411:00 AM H. Warren Smith Cemetery1538 North 2nd AvenueJacksonville, FL 322504140 University Blvd S Jacksonville, FL 32216 f: 904-739-81594747 Main St N Jacksonville, FL 32206 f: 904-353-0763