Obituary of Rev. Dr. Barbara Jean Blackston

Rev. Dr. Barbara Jean Blackston was born to Phyllis Kee and Maxie Kee on January 11, 1944 in Camden, NJ. Her family resided in New Jersey until her early teen years at which time they relocated to Wilmington, Delaware. After graduating high school, Barbara was employed by New Castle County Office of the Prothonotary and Deputy Sheriff until her retirement. Rev. Dr. Blackston received her Bachelor of Theology from United Christian College (1987); Associate of Arts in Christian Ministry (1992) and Bachelor of Science (1994) from Geneva College; Master of Arts in Biblical Theology (2000) from International Christian University; Diploma in Advanced Theology I, II, III, (2002) and a Certificate of Ordination (2002) from Jameson School of Theology; and a Master of Arts (2002) and Doctor of Theology (2002) from International Christian University. Rev. Dr. Blackston answered the Call of God by traveling to her hometown of Camden, NJ to establish Faith Unity Fellowship, a homeless ministry. The ministry provided spiritual and physical healing for those without a union of fellowship with God and a restoring of faith in God to those who had encountered adverse circumstances. She presided over and served the ministry for three years. Under the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit, Rev. Dr. Blackston took up residence once again in Delaware continuing to reach out to those in need of spiritual healing. Rev. Dr. Blackston served on the ministerial staff of Church of the Living Word in Wilmington, DE where she began teaching at the Bible Institute and School of Ministry where she taught “The Life of Christ” and “Homiletics”, two subjects that are close to her heart. Rev. Dr. Blackston accepted the Call of God to pastor in November 2004. Being directed by the Spirit of God, Rev. Dr. Blackston organized Church of the Living Word Restoration Outreach Ministry located at 11 No. Broad St., Middletown, DE 19709. She had pastored over this growing ministry for five years and gave all glory to God. One of her endeavors was to open and operate a church-based school for the training of future ministers of The Word of God and to educate those desiring to receive foundational instructions for spiritual living. Rev. Dr. Blackston held fast and kept the faith on her journey for spiritual excellence in knowing that GOD “HAS BEEN” AND “IS” GOOD ALL THE TIME! Barbara enjoyed vacationing with her grandchildren, Jamaica, Disney World, Universal Studios, Wildwood, Ocean City and Rehoboth beaches. She also liked to travel with her lady friends, shopping and dining out as well. She also enjoyed holiday dinners with her extended Jamaican and Kenyan families. Rev. Dr. Blackston, was the owner and proprietor of Bee Bee Food, making her delicious Mac and Cheese to order and Sweet Potato pies as well. Rev. Blackston was also the creator of “The Healing App” and it is through this app that her legacy will continue to live on in all of us. Rev. Dr. Barbara Jean Blackston transitioned to be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. Her last moments were spent surrounded by her loved ones. She is survived by her son Derrick L. Kellam (Tanya Green), Daughter Debra L, Kellam (Ali Elshaikh), Grandchildren, Erika Graham, J’Ne Williams, Ahmed Elshaikh, Khaled Elshaikh, Great Grandkids, Jayden, Xavia, Samir, Jania, Sherif and Nadiya and Host of other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by her sisters, Janice Miles, Joan Barrett, brother Maxie Jr, husband Harry Blackston, son Claude A, Kellam and Grandson Lamar Tribbett. Barbara was also preceded in death by her biological father, Albert Johnson, and two brothers and three sisters, survived by four sisters and three brothers of North Carolina and Georgia.