Embree Hoss Blackard, United Methodist Clergy (Tombstone Tuesday)

Embree Hoss Blackard Sr., D.D.
1900 - 1995

Riverside Cemetery
Asheville, North Carolina

When visiting Riverside Cemetery in Asheville, North Carolina, I came across an emblem I had not seen before. It represented the United Methodist Clergy and was attached to the BLACKARD family stone. A bit of research revealed Mr. Embree Hoss Blackard had been a member of the clergy for 70 years, longer than anyone in the Western North Carolina Conference (at the time of his death in 1995).

According to his obituary in the 6 August 1995 Charlotte Observer (North Carolina), Dr. Blackard was a native of Trenton, Tennessee, and a son of the late Reverend Doctor James W. Blackard and Louisa White Blackard. Information obtained from the Riverside Cemetery website states he was married to Margaret Griffith who died in 1975 and Frances Blair Blackard who died in June 1995.

Also buried in the Blackard family lot is Margaret Griffith Blackard (1897-1975) and Embree Hoss Blackard, Jr., M.D. (1929-1991).

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The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!' Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live...'" (Ezekiel 37:1-5, NKJV)

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