Eddie Freeman Blackmon

Eddie Freeman Blackmon, of De Kalb, Texas, passed away, Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 at a Texarkana, Texas hospital. He was 81. Eddie was born March 31, 1934 in Stuttgart, Ark. to Edward Holloway and Ruby Esther Freeman Blackmon. He was a retired Rice Farmer, Farm Machinery Dealer; was a partner in Blackmon Auto Auctions and former owner of Western Sports Arena in De Kalb, Texas. Eddie was a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, where he was a member of Rho Sigma Fraternity, ROTC and the OBU choir. He is survived by four daughters and two sons-in-law: Margaret Paige Blackmon and Gerald Freeman of De Kalb, Texas, Molly Elaine Blackmon of Caddo Mills, Texas, Kate Elizabeth Blackmon of Dallas, Texas, and Anne Elyse and James R. Payne of Caddo Mills, Texas; a sister, Ella Reed Braden of Little Rock, Ark.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom and Bonnie Blackmon of Little Rock, Ark. and Jim and Kaye Blackmon of Winthrop, Ark.; three grandchildren: Bentley Elyse Payne, Reese Malone Payne, and Emily Kate Watters; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Services will be 3 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016 at the First Baptist Church in De Kalb, Texas with Bro. Dixon Rial, Bro. Billy Blakeney, and Bro. James Boyd Strain officiating. Interment will follow at Woodmen Cemetery in De Kalb, Texas under the direction of Bates Family Funeral Home in De Kalb, Texas. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 11, 2016 at Bates Family Funeral Home in De Kalb, Texas. Online Registration at www.batesfamilyfuneralhome.com.