Charly Blackston, 86, passed away at his home on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Born in Anderson, he was a son of the late Charlie Blackston and Bernice Alexander Penland. Charly was married for 60 years to Laura Faye McGraw Blackston and a member of Community Christian Church. He served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired in 1974 as a Senior Master Sargent. During his military career he received several commendation medals. Charly attended Tri County Technical College and obtained an Electronic Engineering Technical degree. He retired a second time from Ryobi In addition to his wife, Faye, Charly is survived by his children, Robert Blackston (Dee) of Honea Path, SC, Charly Blackston, Jr. of Chillicothe, OH, Linda Kratina of Martin, Ga. and Ann Lyles (Mike) of Donalds, SC; brother, Terry Blackston of Anderson; sisters, Barbara Webb of Belton, SC, Duana Gerrard, of Anderson, SC, and Betty Morgan of Pendleton, SC; 10 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. In addition to Charly's parents, he is predeceased by his grandson, Jonathan Blackston and sister, Kay Bowen. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 31, 2019 from 1 pm until 2:15 pm at the McDougald Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at the Committal Shelter at M.J. Dolly Cooper Veteran's Cemetery at 3 pm with Mike Lyles officiating. The family will accept flowers or memorial donations may be made to The American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231 or the Cancer Association of Anderson, 215 E. Calhoun Street, Anderson, SC 29621. WWW.MCDOUGALDFUNERALHOME.COM. Events Visitation Thursday, January 31, 2019 1:00PM - 2:15PM The McDougald Funeral Home 2211 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 Email: Gail@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com,laurel@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com Phone: (864) 224-4343 Final Resting Place M.J. 'Dolly' Cooper Veterans Cemetery 140 Inway Drive Anderson, SC 29621