John 14:2-3: "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

Mrs. Annette V. Blackwell, 64, of Petersburg, Virginia, departed this life Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the Bon Secours Southside Medical Center, Petersburg, Virginia.

Annette was born on July 10, 1960, in Richmond, Virginia, to Harold James, Sr. and the late Bessie A. James. Annette was a graduate of Petersburg High School, Class of 1978. Annette was employed by Walmart Supercenter in Petersburg, Virginia until her retirement in 2021.

Annette was preceded in death by her mother, Bessie A James; brother, Calvin James; mother-in-law, Otelia Harrison; sister in-law, Alfredia Seymour; and brother-in-law, Alfred Story.

Annette is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Stafford M. Blackwell; loving and devoted daughter, Shenika M. Rankins; father, Harold James, Sr.; three brothers, Harold James, Jr. (Sheibra) of Sumter, South Carolina; Michael James of Washington, DC; Reginald James (Kim) of North Dinwiddie, Virginia; father-in-law, Linwood Harrison; sister-in-law, Judy Blackwell of Petersburg, Virginia, and Michelle McCray-Kelly (Sterling) Durham, North Carolina; aunt, Martha I. Waddy of Temple Hills, Maryland; devoted niece which she consider as her daughter, Jeaketa Manga (Kennedy) of Chesterfield, Virginia; nieces, Brittany Woods (Thomas), Katrina James and Kristen James of Columbia, South Carolina; Ebony Seymour, Soraya Seymour, Tamika Seymour of Hopewell, Virginia; Darnetta McCray of Charlotte, North Carolina;  nephews, William Chase of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; William Story, Greg Seymour of Richmond, Virginia; Malik McCray of Charlotte, North Carolina and DJ McCray of South Mrytle Beach, South Carolina;  and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Devoted cousins Mable Gurley, Kathy Mayfield, Wayne Todd and Cynthia James; devoted friends, Pamela Spencer, Gladys Clanton, Felicia Greene, Sue Mallory, Phyllis Ellis, Brenda Gillus, Patricia Moore, Gloria Spratley and her beloved neighbor, Lula Watkins.

Philippians 4:13: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength"

Services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Oak Street A.M.E. Zion Church, 25 W. Wythe Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. Reginald M. Jones, Pastor, officiating and Bishop Mary P. Bonner, eulogist. The interment to follow at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Prince George, Virginia.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.