Ardre Frank Blackmon

Ardre Frank Blackmon, 81, of Kennesaw, Georgia, passed away quietly on December 1, 2023, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Greenville, Mississippi in 1942, he was raised by his grandparents, Leon Ardre and Lorena White of Natchez, Mississippi. After first serving in the USMC and then the US Army for a total of 21 years, Mr. Blackmon settled in Marietta, Georgia, where he met and married his wife of 41 years, Cynthia Salley Bramlett Blackmon. While active in the military, he served multiple tours in Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Africa, and the United States and graduated from the University of Nebraska. Following his retirement from active military, he continued serving his country by working for Civil Service at Fort McPherson; his total time of service was 49 years. In addition to his loyal service to his country, Mr. Blackmon served his Lord and Savior with faith and devotion in several local ministries, including First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Macland Baptist Church of Powder Springs, and First Baptist Church of Marietta, and was an active contributor to the In Touch Ministry of Dr. Charles Stanley. The joys of Mr. Blackmon’s life came from his family, including his children, Wesley Conrad Bramlett and Caroline Seleta Blackmon Reale, and his grandchildren, Mackenzie Lilla, Cameron Conrad, and Marleigh Ann. He became the quintessential “Baseball Pop,” cheering on whichever team took the field and pitching many balls in the yard and on the beach “for fun.” For his favorite granddaughters, he watched many hours of dance performances and school plays. His pride in his children and his grandchildren knew no bounds, and the family time spent together by the white sandy beaches of the Gulf were the happiest moments of his life. Mr. Blackmon is preceded in death by his beloved daughter Caroline Seleta, parents Frances White Patenotte and Andrew Blackmon, twin brother Andrew Blackmon, sister Helen Frances Figura, and grandparents Leon and Lorena White. He is survived by his wife Cynthia, stepson Wesley Bramlett and his wife Casey of Marietta; brothers Samuel Leon Blackmon of Washington, Mississippi, and Robert Patenotte, Jr., of Long Beach, Mississippi; sisters Edwina (“Boo”) Lee of Picayune, Mississippi, Francis (“Bebe”) Nelson of Long Beach, Mississippi, and Janette Nance of Swansboro, North Carolina, his three grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. The family will receive visitors at Mayes Ward Dobbins Funeral Home, Marietta, on Wednesday, December 6th, from 5:00 – 7:00, 180 Church Street, Marietta, Georgia, 30060. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 7th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Memorial Chapel at Mayes Ward. A private burial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 841, Marietta, Georgia, 30061; or to Marietta First Baptist Church’s Grateful First fund in his memory.

Ardre Frank Blackmon

September 15, 1942 - December 1, 2023