Melinda Blackmon

Melinda Jo Uzzell Blackmon, 61, went home to be with Jesus her Lord on Monday, December 19, 2022. She was born on August 6, 1961 and was part of the Baby Boomer Generation. She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Randolph Uzzell, Jr; her mother, Martha Taylor White Uzzell; and her sister Jane Uzzell Dowling. She is survived by her husband Kenneth Edwin Blackmon; her brother Thomas Randolph Uzzell, III (Libby); three children, Mary Jo Blackmon Buckley (Gene), David Kenneth Blackmon (Mary Claire), Jonathan Taylor Blackmon (Lindsey); three grandchildren (Lucy, James Rowe, Kate), and many nieces and nephews. Melinda graduated from Vestavia High School in 1979. In 1983, she graduated from Auburn University with a Computer Engineering degree. In her time at Auburn, she was involved in Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was a FarmHouse Fraternity little sister.  She worked countless hours in the home pouring into her children and for 16 years as a computer teacher at Briarwood Christian School.  In 2011, she was diagnosed with colon cancer.  Through the sustaining hand of her heavenly Father, she was able to see her three kids graduate from college and get married. She was also able to love on three grandchildren for the last 3 years.  During this season her faith was refined like silver in the furnace so that the likeness of Christ became increasingly evident for all who were watching.  She chose to cling to Christ, her Hope, and make His good news known to all God brought along her path.  During her journey as a patient with cancer, she told countless doctors, nurses, caregivers, friends, and strangers of God’s goodness and the path He made to eternal life through his Son. Even in her last days the phrase “The story is true” rang repeatedly from her lips.  It would be her and her family’s greatest joy to know that God used her life and death to draw just one more person to know Christ as their Savior. We know she was received into Heaven with a rich entrance by her Savior and heard the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”  A celebration of life will be held at Briarwood Presbyterian Church on December 22 at 2:00 PM, preceded by visitation at 1:00 PM. A private family graveside will be held at Jefferson Memorial in Trussville.