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Church of God In Christ, Inc.
The Late
Bishop L.T. Blackshear, Prelate
Delaware Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
Recent Story written by Dover Post Celebrating Bishop Blackshear's 90th Birthday
Up from the farm
Blackshear was born in 1916, a son of Alabama sharecroppers. Although he grew up in poverty, his family was rich in spirit, with the Bible as much a part of their existence as the corn and cotton fields they worked each day.
At the age of 21, Blackshear migrated to Florida, where he earned $1.50 a day picking oranges. It was 1937, the height of the Great Depression, and despite the low wages, Blackshear knew he was lucky to be working.
“It would have taken a long time to get rich on money like that,” he said. “But I have to say I’ve never known what it is like to be hungry, or what it was like not to have. We never really knew we were poor. We had what we needed to have.”
It was while in Florida Blackshear experienced two seminal events in his life: he met and married the young Sylvia Smiley, who still stands by his side today, and he received his calling to the ministry.
“I got a conviction to accept Christ,” he said. “It was a feeling, a calling of the spirit.”
Blackshear went back to school, was licensed in 1939 and ordained in 1941, the same year he and Sylvia moved to Delaware. Like many ministers however, Blackshear had to rely on the secular world to pay the bills. With the nation mobilizing for World War II, he found work as a welder in the shipyards of Wilmington, Philadelphia and Chester, Pa.
Over the next 18 years, Blackshear worked in the construction field, ministered at COGIC churches throughout the state, and traveled the country holding tent revivals and evangelizing in various churches. He also earned divinity and law degrees while he and Sylvia raised six children. Finally, in 1960, Blackshear was appointed as bishop for the COGIC’s Delaware district.
‘Blessed by God’
As bishop, Blackshear keeps a schedule that would tax a man half his age. In addition to his ministry in Dover, he drives to Millsboro’s New Holy Trinity Church five times a month, and supervises 15 Delaware COGIC churches. Although he doesn’t travel as much nationally as before, he still serves on numerous church committees, including the COGIC National College of Bishops.
“They work me like a horse!” Blackshear said, but he’s not complaining. His tone makes it clear he’s totally happy doing what he does. “He is a man who has been blessed by God,” said longtime parishioner John Baldwin. “The first time I shook hands with him, I thought to myself, what a dignified giant of a man. Once you see him, you feel his warmth and his welcome and you know that he is concerned for you.”
Blackshear’s energy continues to amaze other members of the COGIC. Recently, said church member Mary Watson, Blackshear had been in Dover, visited a church in Laurel and then returned to comfort the family of a parishioner who had just died, all in one day.
“He’s just one of a kind,” Watson said. “He has a concern for mankind. They’re never too young or too old. He’s just a lover of people.” Blackshear admits, however, he has concerns about the church today. While many young people have the discipline and dedication necessary to lead a godly life, just as many are lacking those qualities, and that’s worrisome.
“They think you can drink and stay out all night and still be a good Christian,” he said. “But you can’t.” But there is hope, Blackshear’s parishioners say, because their bishop doesn’t dwell on the past. Even after more than 65 years in the ministry, Blackshear has no intention of retiring and with plans to build a COGIC church headquarters in Delaware, is clearly still thinking ahead.
Celebrating The Life Of
Bishop Lieutenant Thomas Blackshear, Sr., D.D., LL.D.
Lieutenant Thomas Blackshear was born in Moral, AL to the proud parents of Frank and Esther Bell Blackshear. One of eleven children, Lieutenant was raised in the town of Samson, AL where he attended public schools and later met and married Sylvia E. Smiley of Lake Helen, FL. They moved north in the early 1940’s, resided in Bridgeville, DE for several years and then moved to New Castle County.
Being a conscientious man whose steps were ordered by the Lord, Lieutenant T. Blackshear joined the church under the leadership of the late Elder W.L. Jones of Gethsemane Church of God in Christ where God called him into the ministry. He served as Assistant Pastor for several years until appointed pastor of Mt. Calvary Temple COGIC by District Supt. C.L. Hammonds, Sr. God blessed Elder Blackshear to travel all over the country by evangelizing, holding tent revivals, establishing churches and missions. During that time, Delaware had only three churches. Through his dedication to the church, he was appointed District Superintendent of the Southern District and it was then that the Delaware Jurisdiction began to grow.
Elder L.T. Blackshear was consecrated Bishop of the State of Delaware Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ in 1960 by Bishop Charles Harrison Mason. There are now eighteen churches serving under his leadership.
He has been a member of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., Memphis, TN for 72 years, a preacher for 71 years and a pastor for 70 years. One the national level, he is presently a member of the National Board of Bishops for the Church of God in Christ; a member of the Rules Committee for the General Assembly and the Constitution Committee of the General Assembly. He is a former member of the Resolution Committee for the Board of Directors, and also nominated for the National Board of the Church of God in Christ, three times. Bishop now pastors two churches: Bibleway Temple Institutional COGIC and New Holy Trinity COGIC. He over-see’s three others churches: Miracle Tabernacle COGIC, Solid Rock COGIC and the Mother COGIC. He has physically built five churches and renovated many others.
On the State level, he has served as District YPWW president, State YPWW president for fifteen years, State Expediter, Member of the Board of Ordination and a Bishop for 48 years presiding over the Delaware Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ. Other Accomplishments/Awards: He has received the following outstanding service awards: From the Church of God in Christ (1972), from the Mayor of Dover (1976): Outstanding Citizens Award from the NAACP (1976), Outstanding award from the Concerned Citizens of the State of Delaware and Congratulations from the 128th General Assembly of the House of Representatives (House Resolution No. 147). He has served on several Boards of Education, Civic Organizations, and until his death was the Dean of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance in Kent County. Bishop L.T. Blackshear holds degrees from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL; New York Theological Seminary; a Doctor of Divinity and a Doctor of Law Degree from the National College of Canada.
Bishop Blackshear went to his heavenly reward on Friday, September 19, 2008. His passing was peaceful and in the presence of his family. He had the opportunity to say good-bye to his wife, children, grandchildren, other family and friends. He preached his last message on his death bed using the scripture Psalm 27:5. He was married for seventy years to a very special person, Mother Sylvia Elizabeth Smiley Blackshear, whom he leaves to cherish his memories along with their five children: Elder Charles L. Blackshear, Sr. (Vivian), Esther B. Blackshear, Ruth A. Lewis (Joseph), Lieutenant T. Blackshear, Jr., and Sylvia V. Holsey (Thomas), 13 grand children, 19 great grand children, 10 great great grand children. One sister, Nancy Ford, two brothers Royce and Willie. One brother-in law, and two sister-in-laws, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, his church family and many, many friends.
“If I don’t get up in the morning, everything will be alright”
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call.
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
I found that PEACE at the close of the day.
Lovingly ~ The Family
