On Saturday, September 23, 2023, Christ The King Baptist Church laid to rest the late Crystal Blackmon, born on Good Friday, July 26, 1963 – and departed from this world on Monday, September 4, 2023.
Per her Obituary, her parents were Louis and Marion Fields, who allowed her to receive her formal Education at Palmer Grade School and James Madison High School. Blackmon, who believed in Education, furthered her studies at Bryant and Stratton College.
Crystal led a busy and fulfilling life with her former spouse, William Blackmon, Jr., and their two daughters, Chaparis Blackmon and PaChan Blackmon. Blackmon was studious, an active mother and wife, and kind-hearted by holding various jobs in senior living care. She volunteered at a women’s maternity group and became the Founder of the James Madison Alumni Group (JMAG) and James Madison Memorial Page in Milwaukee, WI.
“In her leisure, she was an amazing cook and loved to feed everyone she encountered. She enjoyed Facebook, thrift shopping, community service, and helping people. Her captivating smile and energetic personality illuminated any space she entered. She loved bringing people together and putting a smile on everyone’s faces with her humor. She was the life of the party and loved to sing and dance. She enjoyed attending church and being a good steward of the word.”
Northwest Funeral Chapel, Obituary
Prepare to Worship
Praise to the Lord Almighty by Christ The King Baptist Church Men of Praise Choir
Seek the Lord
Psalm 23, read by Armor Bearer, Scott Walker
John 14: 1-6, read by Deacon Clifford King
Officiating: Chaplain Dole Sprewer
Remembering the Lord’s Servant
“When Crystal came in, she was very broken. At the Altar, she was crying because she had let people down. I watched her grow from broken to whole in a year and a half. I watched her as she was a light to those people.”
Pastor Justin O’ Boyle, City of Refuge Church (Portage, WI)
“A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.”
Ecclesiastes 7:1. King James Version
Last year and a half, she made decisions that made our hearts glad. Her life had value and worth; Her life meant something. In Portage, WI, she was the only young lady; I could hear a loud voice say that’s my Pastor. I could be at WalMart.
Pastor Justin O’ Boyle, City of Refuge Church (Portage, WI)
She asked, “Pastor, do I need to get baptized again?” She called her Mom every Sunday, asking, “Were you at church today?”
She was a light in a dark place. She was a crystal. It wasn’t her clothes or hair.
I fixed her brakes and said, “You owe me nothing.”
Sometimes, you see Jesus. Her brakes were so bad he added, “Crystal, you could’ve died.” I was thankful when she brought people to the church every Sunday. I thought I was going to have more years. God answered a Mother’s prayer. She wanted to see her daughter saved.
I challenge you, “Weeping may endure for a night; Joy comes in the morning.” I am not saying Goodbye to Jesus; she is saying Hello to Jesus. She was an amazing woman of God and is a fantastic woman of God standing in front of God.
Second Speaker, Cynthia Hooker, Friend
Her Best friend from high school added, “Her twin. She was down-to-earth and witty, and she kept me laughing. We shaped one another, and she volunteered at non-profit organizations.” She told the family, “I love you all. I will be checking on you. I’m only a phone call away.”
“She was truly my gift.”
Third Speaker, PaChan Blackmon, and ChaParis Blackmon,
“God gives his highest battles to his strongest soldiers.” ‘We get it, God.”
“Mom and I didn’t have the perfect relationship; we didn’t see I and I. Death taught me the importance of forgiveness. In the end, all you have is the memories of that person. Take this opportunity to honor your Mom. I love you. I’m so proud of you. To me, you are the epitome of strength and generosity. She would start a conversation with anyone. You have the gift to gab. I wish I had her personality. You are my voice; you are my encyclopedia. My mother knows everything. She will find a way to a solution. I appreciate you for always being there for me. She’s my get-out-of-jail fee card. We are so much alike. My sister is the sweet one. You are my day’s partner. No one can watch me like you. You are my comforter. You never judge me. You tell me my business to everyone. She will reach out to you to help you today. I never imagined a life without you this soon. Thank you for the memories we shared. You lived a whole life, so real, raw, and transparent. Never hide who you are, and never be afraid to tell your testimony. You experience highs and lows. You experience peace. It gives me a peace of mind. Death is not the end. Mom, I love you. I miss you. Please watch over us, protect us. Don’t watch over us too much.
Thank you for being so supportive and being here with us. When you think of My Mom’s name, smile; her spirit is still here. Continue to keep us in prayer.
Sister Blackmon
Resolution from Christ The King Baptist Church, Matthew 5:4. “You can trust. He is ever-present. Jesus Christ lives today so that you can face tomorrow.
“Blessed are those who mourn,
Matthew 5:4, New International Version.
for they will be comforted.”
Hear the Word of the Lord
Eulogy by Pastor John Wesley McVicker, Sr.
A Eulogy is a personal talk about someone. “I am thankful for the speakers, the girls, and her Pastor. Talk about this feisty woman.
Eulogy by Pastor John Wesley McVicker, Sr.
A Eulogy is a personal talk about someone. “I am thankful for the girls and her Pastor. Talk about this feisty woman.
“Laborers had to work. Some came to work early. Some came later in the day and began to work. The workday was almost over. Others entered into the contract. It only happens when you enter a contract as long as you entered it. The pay is the same. In the last couple of years, she found her way to Portage. She found a Family of Faith. She made herself a disciple under the leadership of Boyle. She was there, surrendered all to God. We had known her on them for the last couple of years; she was new because she surrendered all to Christ. Did you go to church? Great conversion.”
Psalm 23:4
The Darkest Valley, Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23, King James Version
Growing up, we ate together and had to recite a Scripture. Everyone wanted “Jesus Wept.” We had to say a verse at the dinner table and ate together. Psalm 23 is a Psalm of Comfort. It has many values: financial, relational, economic, marital, physical, and parental.
We will experience wounded, weary, and worn valleys in this life.
Psalm 23: verse 4
The Darkest Valley is the death of a loved one. Death orders a parent to perform the dreadful task of burying a child. The child has to bury a parent. We cannot imagine coming out on the side of the valley. Verse 1 gives us Hope in the Psalm. We don’t have to travel the valley alone when it feels like we are all alone. Verse 12 says we belong to God. That belonging gives us identity and infinite value: verse 1, will of confidence and spirit of dependence. Monosyllable, the Lord is My. Jehovah! The Lord is my Shepherd and not a distant deity. He is a personal God who enters into a personal relationship with his Father. The Lord is My Shepherd. The Lord is my Shepherd, The Lord, Jehovah. My Shepherd- He- He- He will watch over you, comfort you, and keep you. It is the present tense to be a very present help. The Lord is my Shepherd- so all of my needs are met. I shall not want. He provides all our needs. It can calm the heads of them facing death. Verse 4: You are with me. Thy rod and staff comfort me. “When the howling doubts of fear assail.” Not a sprint. It’s a walk. I am walking counter the spirit of alarm. I walk through the shadow of death.
The darkest valley is the passageway to eternal life. Flesh and blood cannot enter into eternity; only those awaken. Jesus rose and conquered death. “Oh, death, where is your sting?” Only the shadow of death remains, a dark reflection without substance. Shadows appear larger and more intimidating. Only the shade, don’t be afraid. Only the shadow, gun, or knife cannot harm. If a light source is present, we will see the shades.
Jesus is the light of the world. We will walk in the morning. I’m not afraid; you’re with me. We’re never alone. Jesus conquered Satan. The day is coming when one day we will be destroyed (by death), but we are not alone. “For you are with me.” We can find peace and rest knowing that a Shepherd is with us. The Shepherds and Twins, goodness and mercy shall follow us in our dark, bright, up and down days. He will be with us now. We will be in his presence beyond the valley.
Away from the body is to be present with Christ. She changed her address. Another building not made by hand. Mahalia Jackson. “Tarry will in that great getting up morning. I’ve been redeemed.”
Crystal said, ‘I’ll see you in that great getting up morning.”
“I’ll see you later,” Pastor McVicker, added.
Depart to Serve
Closing Prayer, Benediction and Recession, #41- Oh I Want To See Him
Reporter Jude 