Vernon Keith Blackwelder

Vernon Keith Blackwelder, lovingly known as “Stump,” passed away on November 2, 2026, at his home. He was born on January 3, 1952, in Bruce, Mississippi, and lived a life marked by hard work, loyalty, and a genuine love for family, friends, and the games and places that brought people together.

A graduate of Hillcrest High School in Memphis, Tennessee, Class of 1970, Stump was an excellent athlete playing both football and baseball for the school and later sponsored a men’s softball team (Memphis Carbonics) which played in the Memphis Adult Softball League. He went on to attend Memphis State University, carrying with him the same energy and steady spirit that would shape the years ahead.

Stump started his career in his father’s company, Memphis Ice Machine, as a manufacturer’s sales representative for commercial ice machines and beverage dispensing equipment. He later purchased Memphis Carbonic Gas Company along with his brother-in-law, Steve (Doc) Holliday and began doing beer and beverage dispensing equipment installations for the hospitality industry while also supplying carbonic gas. Notable installations from his career included installing the beer and beverage systems in the newly built Memphis Pyramid, and a generous amount of similar installations in many of the Tunica casinos as the industry there was being built. He took tremendous pride in his work and did it well as a testament of a career defined by honesty, dependability and hands-on expertise.

The last 20 years of his career, he spent in loyal dedication to training and molding mechanical service and sales technicians in the Memphis area swimming pool industry.

Beyond work, Stump found joy in the things he loved most. He loved golf, football, and baseball, softball and anything outdoors primarily fishing and hunting. Those passions remained a part of his life through the years. He also loved short travel vacations and spending time at his vacation home in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, a place that surely held so many happy memories and moments of relaxation with friends and family.

His commitment to young people and to his Hernando community was another lasting part of him as he enjoyed volunteer coaching baseball at the Hernando Civic Center for Dizzy Dean baseball for several years. That generosity of time and encouragement left an imprint that reached far beyond the field whereby he made several life long memories and friends with the players, their parents and families.

Stump is survived by his devoted wife, Jana Blackwelder, who shared his life in a 49 year marriage, and stood beside him in mutual and unmatched love and commitment. They met when he was 15 years old and she 13 years old. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Nelda Morgan, and her daughter, Erin Morgan, both of whom were essential caregivers for Stump with much love and devotion. He is further survived by his brother-in-law, Steve “Doc” Holliday and his nieces Amber Holliday and Andi Holliday Camp, along with great nieces Morgan Camp and Peyton Camp. He is also survived by nephews Clay (Brigitte) Morgan, great nephew Jacob Morgan, Drew (Tiffany) Morgan, great nieces Mackenzie and Addison Morgan, Brad (Becky) Morgan, great nephews Aiden and Knox Morgan, great niece Ali Morgan and great nephews Emanuel Morgan and Liam Morgan, Erin’s sons.

The care, presence, and steadfast support of those around him were a meaningful part of his final chapter, and their love remains among the many gifts of his and Jana’s lives; especially the devotion and attention of his and Jana’s “chosen son”, Brian Roberson along with Justin Cunningham.

Stump was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Ray “Ham” Blackwelder; his mother, Doris Blackwelder; his brother, Steve Blackwelder; his brother-in-law, Joe Morgan; and his sister-in-law, Denise Holliday.

Stump will be remembered as a man who worked hard, loved deeply, enjoyed life’s pleasures, and gave back to his many friends and the children in his community by coaching little league. In the enduring memories of ballfields, family time, coastal getaways, and a life built with his own hands, he leaves behind a legacy of warmth, strength, and above all, a generous and kind heart. He always told Jana he was born to make her happy. And beyond all measure, he surely accomplished that.

The family will have a Celebration of Life Memorial at a later date.