Mr. Charles R Blaylock, age 88, of El Dorado, Arkansas passed away at home, on Friday, November 10, 2023.
Born October 25, 1935, in Tinsman, AR, he was the son of Oscar and Polly Blaylock. He was the youngest of six siblings.
After retiring from the Air Force, Charles' loyalty and service to his country did not falter. He channeled his continued desire to serve his country by helping others who had served in the military. He was a member of his local VFW and American Legion. At the time of his passing, he was a current and active member of the DAV. Charles' true passion was helping disabled veterans of all generations. He served as the DAV Union County Service officer for six years. Through his position, he helped veterans navigate the VA benefits that they were entitled to by providing benefits counseling and assistance. Charles guided them through every step of the process, making sure he helped each veteran attain the full range of benefits they had earned. He also helped to ensure that veterans had health care coverage, as well as a means to get to the health care they needed. Over the years, he drove the DAV van for local disabled veterans and took them to their appointments at VA hospital in Little Rock, ensuring that they could receive healthcare.
Charles was a member of First Baptist Church of Smackover. He was a devout Christian and through his relationship with God, his faith continued to shine despite health conditions that provided a challenge at times. The greatest love in Charles' life was his wife, Nelda. Their love and devotion for one another was evident in their 66 years of marriage, in which they raised three children. He was an avid Arkansas Razorback fan and raised his children and grandchildren to follow suit. Charles' children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him great joy. He had special nicknames for each one and it was evident that the presence of each one in his life completed him. Charles will be remembered by all for not only being a witty storyteller, but also for being quite crafted in his delivery of telling jokes. His innate ability to land the "punchline" of a joke will never be replicated.
Charles will be profoundly missed by both family and friends.
Preceding him in death are his parents, all six of his siblings and a son, Charles Todd Blaylock.
Survivors include his wife, Nelda Neal Blaylock of El Dorado; daughter, Kristi Kelley and son, Paul Blaylock (Brenda), all of El Dorado. Survivors also include grandchildren Brooke Phifer (Ricky) of Beebe, AR; Nicole Strickland (Cody) and Kaitlyn Kelley of El Dorado, Trace Blaylock of Fayetteville, AR and Matthew Kelley of El Dorado. Great-grandchildren, Cohen Strickland and Stetson Strickland of El Dorado.
Visitation will begin at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Smackover, Arkansas. A funeral service, led by Carley Davis, will follow at 2:00 P.M., with burial at Smackover Cemetery under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors. As a final tribute to his military service, Charles will receive full military funeral honors.
In true Charles fashion, he always said, "You can't eat flowers.", so in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Smackover, 201 W. 7th, Smackover, AR 71762.
Condolences can be expressed at
www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Blaylock family.
