Rev. Troy Blackwelder, age 79 of Carrollton, Georgia, passed away on Saturday afternoon, October 27, 2018.  He was born August 12, 1939 in Carrollton, Georgia, the son of the late George Collins and the late Mancy Driver Collins.

He was a minister of the gospel, having pastored Message of Christ Church for over 45 years, and was a retired mechanic.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Randy Blackwelder; brothers:  Rev. Jimmy Collins, George Collins, Jr. and Nick Collins; sisters: Betty Arrington Brown and Minnie Lou Harrison.

He is survived by his wife, Dolly Mae Spray Blackwelder;  children and their spouses: Ricky & Sherry Blackwelder, Vicky & Mike Talley, Patricia & Robert Cummings, Glenn & Patrice Blackwelder, Troy & Tammy Blackwelder, Jr., Rev. David & Talisha Blackwelder, and Melissa & Michael Farmer; brother and sister-in-law, Wade & Onita Collins; grandchildren: James Blackwelder, Joey Blackwelder, Kim McCain, Patrice Blackwelder, Chuck Nowell, Shannon Talley, Jonathan Talley, Mark Talley, Chris Talley, Amanda Howell, Ashleigh Smith, Nicole Smith, Cody Howell, Haley Blackwelder, Dylon Blackwelder, Dakota Blackwelder, Heather Gimle, DJ Blackwelder, Ashleigh Bassett, Courtney Farmer, Christian Farmer, Shannon Farmer, Mancy Whitten, Randi Farmer, Niki Farmer, and Renea Massengale; 31 great grandchildren; ten great, great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 2:00 PM from West Georgia Worship Center.  Rev. Blackwelder will be placed in the church at 12:00 Noon.  Rev. David Blackwelder, Rev. Richard Clay, Rev. Ricky Shirley, and Rev. Curtis Holloway will officiate.  Interment will follow in Stripling Chapel Cemetery with grandsons serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.martin-hightower.com.

Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel has charge of the arrangements.