Lavada McNeill Blackmon

Lavada McNeill Blackmon, 79, passed away peacefully at FirstHealth Hospice in West End on Friday, December 12, 2025.  She was born in Lee County to the late Dannie and Velma McNeill. 

Lavada was also preceded in death by her husband, George June (Junior) Blackmon of 49 years; sister, Lorretta McNeill; brother, Dannie McNeill, Jr.; brother, Randy McNeill; brother-in-law, Ruben McNeill; sisters-in-law, Emma Kennedy, Catherine Cross, Lottie Hardison, Lula Hair, Dorothy West, and Lena Blackmon; brother-in-law, Hubert Blackmon; granddaughter, Brittany Diane Blackmon; and step-grandson, Justin Paul Howell.

Lavada is survived by her son, Jeff Blackmon (Shelby); daughter, Amy Parker (Jeff); son Dannie Blackmon (Lianne); and her grandchildren Daniel Blackmon, Ashley Blackmon (Chris), Caroline Parker and James Michael Parker; her step-grandchildren Jeffrey Howell and Jenny Howell; her great-grandchildren, Alice, Tommie and Rose Blackmon.  She is survived by her brother, Dwight McNeill (Cathy); sister-in-law, Barbara McNeill; sister-in-law, Kathy McNeill; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extend family members who all held a special place in her heart.

Towards the end of her career, Lavada was employed as a special education teacher’s aide at Lillington Shawtown Elementary School and drove the special needs bus for many years.  Prior to this employment, she was a cafeteria worker and drove the special needs bus at Shawtown Elementary School, as well.  Lavada also was employed at the Piggly Wiggly Deli for many years where her biscuits were legendary.  In order to be home for her family, Lavada operated an in-home daycare where she cared for children as if they were her own.  If she ever saw a child in need, Lavada would step in to care for, feed or love any child.  She made sure everyone was fed and hugged.

If you ever went to Lavada’s house, you had to eat; and at a bare minimum, you had to drink a glass of sweet tea.  Lavada poured all her love into her family.  She loved her children fiercely and loved her grandchildren even more.  With her children, Lavada would learn to play video games and would play until the wee hours of the morning, while sitting in the middle of the living room floor.  There were times when Lavada worked three jobs; but she made sure her children were fed, clothed and loved. 

When it came to her grandchildren, Lavada made sure they were fed; but she thoroughly made sure that her grandchildren were entertained.   She would make rounds of the fast-food restaurants getting everyone’s favorites – biscuits/fries at one, hashbrowns at another and ice cream at another.  Lavada was a woman of spirit and loved rides with her grandchildren on the golf cart or four-wheeler all around the family land.  She loved spoiling her grandchildren with food and gifts but the most important gift of all was her time with the grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at Noon on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at Spring Hill United Methodist Church, located at 1960 Spring Hill Church Road, Lillington, North Carolina, with Dr. Bobby Rackley officiating.  Visitation with the family will be held from 10 a.m. until Noon in the church sanctuary.  Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends and family at all other times at 784 Buchanan Road in Lillington.

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