02/22/2026
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Roger Dale Blackmon
73, Columiba
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 27, 2026 at Bunker Hill Baptist Church in Columbia for Roger Dale Blackmon, 73, of Columbia, who passed away Thursday, February 19, 2026 at Singing River Hospital. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia. Dr. Gary Roberson and Dr. John Blackmon will officiate the services. Carl D***s will provide special music. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Hathorn Funeral Home.
Roger Dale Blackmon passed from this life into the presence of Christ on February 19, 2026. His life was characterized by love, sacrifice, and service to everyone but most especially to his family and his wife of 48 years, Linda Carol (Drye) Blackmon. They were married on her 21st birthday, September 17, 1977.
Roger was born to Will Richard and Tressie Lee (Tucker) Blackmon on March 9, 1952. He grew up in the Jackson area and was known to his family as “Dale.” He was a 1970 graduate of Callaway High School. He worked with his father in construction before some studies at Mississippi College. In 1972, he joined the Mississippi Army National Guard where he served with the 113th Military Police Company and retired with the 890th Engineer Battalion as a proud veteran. He graduated from the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy in 1978. Roger served as a Trooper for over 35 years with pride, commitment, and distinction even once receiving the Service Injury Award in 1994. LEOs were his second and close-knit family. Roger also worked security for nearly three decades on Circle Bar Ranch in Foxworth, MS where he led in coordination for the annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
Roger was always faithful in church. As a young man, he regularly drove for church choirs and mission trips (Roger and Linda met and fell in love on a mission trip to Mexico where he first bought her roses.) He was ordained as a deacon at a young age. He served for many years as a deacon in various congregations and was presently serving as a deacon at Bunker Hill Baptist Church.
Roger loved the outdoors and spent his leisure time hunting, fishing, and swapping stories with his friends. He was always a leader in his various activities, especially those that included his family like the Boy Scouts and peewee sports.
Roger is survived by his wife, Linda, and sons, John Robert (Cheryl) and Ryan Dale (Nancy). He also loved his grandchildren: Kaylynn Ryan, Lillie Joanna, and Josiah Rehberg, who will miss their Poppa. He is also survived by one sister, Sarah Kirby, and two brothers, Will Richard and John Benson. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Wilma Lee and brother-in-law, Bruce Kirby.
More than anything, Roger’s family is thankful that he trusted in the promises of the One Who is Himself the Resurrection and the Life Who said: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. . .” John 11:25
Pallbearers will be Patrick Green, Lee Shelbourn, Jerry Kilpatrick, Ray Loftin, Hunter Forbes, Jarrett Clinton, Johnathan Clinton, Tyler Gibson, and Russell Kirby. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Evans and Kevin Haddox.
Hathorn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com
