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Funeral arrangements announced for FedEx shooting victim Samaria Blackwell

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Posted at 11:05 AM, Apr 22, 2021
and last updated 2021-04-22 11:09:30-04

INDIANAPOLIS — Funeral arrangements have been announced for FedEx shooting victim Samaria Blackwell.

A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Southport Heights Christian Church, located at 7154 McFarland Road, according to an online obituary.

Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. Graveside services will be private and masks are required.

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Samaria Blackwell

READ | Samaria Blackwell: 'She loved helping people, she dreamed of becoming a police officer'

Read Samaria Blackwell's obituary below:

Samaria Blackwell, age 19, of Beech Grove, passed away Thursday, April 15, 2021. Born July 5, 2001, she was the daughter of Jeff and Tammi (Pitman) Blackwell, they survive. Other survivors include her brothers: Elijah Blackwell and Levi Blackwell; her sister, Michaiah Blackwell; her paternal grandmother, Sue Jones; and her paternal grandfather, Mike Blackwell. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Loyd Pitman and her maternal grandmother, Martha Pitman.

Funeral services will be Monday, April 26, 2021 at 2:30 PM in the Southport Heights Christian Church, 7154 Mcfarland Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46227, with visitation from 11:30 AM until service time. Graveside services will be private. Masks are required.

We are thankful for the outpouring of love and support for our family. We are also praying for the families of the other victims of this tragedy. As Samaria’s parents, we were blessed by the Lord to have such a fun-loving, caring daughter as the baby of our family. Being the baby, she looked up to her siblings Elijah, Levi, and Michaiah, who, along with her dog Jasper, will miss her immensely. Samaria was tenacious in everything she did, from playing basketball and soccer to being a lifeguard for Indy Parks. On the court or the soccer field, she had a tough game face, but that quickly turned to a smile outside of competition. Samaria loved people, especially those of advanced age. She always found time to invest in the older generation, whether it was by listening or serving. She spent many hours helping Memaw Sue, from mulching flower beds to setting up Christmas decorations. As an intelligent, straight A student, Samaria could have done anything she chose to put her mind to, and because she loved helping people, she dreamed of becoming a police officer. Although that dream has been cut short, we believe that right now she is rejoicing in heaven with her Savior. Philippians 1:6 says, “I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…” For Samaria, that work is completed and she is sitting with Jesus today. On this side of heaven we grieve, but not as those who have no hope, for we recognize Samaria’s life has only just begun.

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