Ira Joe Nathan Blackshear

Mr. Ira J. Blackshear was born on June 17, 1958, in Camilla, Georgia, to the late Mr. Willie D. Blackshear and Mrs. Emily Mae Silas Blackshear.

He was educated in the Thomasville School System, graduating in 1977. He went on to receive an Associate’s Degree in Business from Andrew College.  Ira had a significant career in the food industry, working many years as a supervisor for Kraft Foods, Coca-Cola, and Ready Pac, from which he retired in 2013. He was also the Founder and CEO of the Emily Silas Blackshear Foundation, Inc.

Ira accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He was a member of Unity of Faith Bible Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where he served faithfully until his death.

He married the love of his life, Connie Bacon, on February 28, 1987, and to this union, one daughter was born, Emily Elizabeth Blackshear.

Ira peacefully departed this life on Monday, February 16, 2026, at home surrounded by family. He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Edith Lee Blackshear, Annie Bell Blackshear, Ella Rose Blackshear Chapman, and a brother, Roosevelt Blackshear, Sr.

Ira leaves behind a host of family to cherish his memories, to include his loving wife, Connie Bacon-Blackshear, daughter, Emily Elizabeth Blackshear; six sisters, Eleanor Ruth (Kenneth - deceased) Hodges, Kathy (Anthony - deceased) Roddie, Betty (Larry) Pittman, Barbara Grooms (Jerry – deceased), Janis Blackshear, and Dr. Tawanda Hunter; Sister-in-law, Berniel Hill, brothers-in-law, Stanley (Diane) Bacon, Mark Bacon, Leon (Sylvia) Bacon, Wendell (Jackie) Bacon and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. He was also loved by his bonus dad and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jones, as well as lifelong friends Thomas Harper and the Thomasville High School Brothers.

In place of flowers, please donate to the Emily Silas Blackshear Foundation