John Aquilla Blalock

Mr. John Aquilla Blalock, 72, of Columbia, SC, passed away on Wednesday morning, March 31, 2021. He was born in Burlington, NC, and raised in Columbia, SC. He was the son of the late Paul Barber Blalock and the late Henery Carl Seal and Beatrice Cato Seal. He served in the United States Army from December 1967 until December 1977, with an honorable discharge. He then worked civilian jobs, the last one being at the Pitt Stop convenience store in Elgin until he was medically retired in 2006. He is survived by his wife of over 39 years, Sylvia Howle Blalock. Mr. Blaylock had two children, Christine Freeman Stevens of Goose Creek (fiancé David Martin), and Douglas Warren Freeman of Effingham (wife Sharon). He had four grandchildren, Dustin Eric Freeman of Columbia (wife Leianna), Dakota Marie Stevens of Hartsville, Caitlyn Cheyenne Stevens, also of Hartsville (fiancé Nicholas Hall), and Mitchell Drew Freeman of Effingham (wife Toni). He also has two step grandchildren, Brandi Williamson Wagner (husband Jonathan) and Zachary Williamson. He had seven great grandchildren, Jackson Keith Freeman-11, Landen Jacob Freeman-9, Tanner Mason Freeman-9, McKenna Leigh Freeman-6, Chloe Isabella Freeman-3, Aria Rose Freeman-8 months, Nicholas Jarrett Hall, Jr.-1, and one step great grandson Avery Wayne Wagner-9. He also had one sister, Martha S. Young of Tampa, FL (husband David) and one brother, Edmond Seal of Tampa, FL, plus several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Douglas Freeman (son), Dustin Freeman and Drew Freeman (grandsons) and Frankie Comer, Blake Comer, and Matthew Comer (nephews). A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 2pm in Greenlawn Memorial Park, 7100 Garners Ferry Rd. Columbia, SC 29209. The family will receive friends beginning at 1pm in the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park.