History is often told through dates and events, but its true legacy lives through people. This Black History Month, The Manning Times is sharing stories of Clarendon County residents and organizations whose lives reflect strength, service and progress. Through their experiences, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made, the barriers overcome and the ongoing work that continues to shape our community today.
This week’s feature highlights Clarendon County Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell, whose lifelong dedication to public service reflects the resilience and leadership found throughout Clarendon County’s history.
Jacqueline Blackwell never planned to become a trailblazer in Clarendon County.
She needed a job — steady work that would help support her children and build a future. The historic milestones came later, as she moved through a decades-long career in public service that eventually led her to serve as Clarendon County coroner.
“I never looked at myself as a barrier breaker,” Blackwell said. “I just did as I was assigned.”
A native of Alcolu, Blackwell is the daughter of Henrietta Burgess Blackwell and the late Willie Jasper Blackwell. She graduated from Manning High School in 1972, where she served as the first female president of her senior class. She attended South Carolina State University before returning home and later graduating from Morris College in 1986.
Blackwell originally envisioned a different career path, studying French and political science in college. Her entry into law enforcement happened unexpectedly when former Fire Chief Carter Jones hired her as one of the county’s early dispatchers.
She spent nine years in dispatch before stepping into education, helping establish remedial math and English labs at Manning High School. Soon after, county leaders approached her again — this time about joining the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy.
County officials told her the sheriff’s office needed a female deputy to meet state funding requirements. Blackwell said she was stunned when they told her they wanted her to fill the role.
“They said we had a meeting and decided it would be me,” Blackwell recalled. “I said, ‘What do you mean, me? Are you sure?’ I never dreamed of putting on a uniform.”
She was sworn in in 1989, becoming the first African American female deputy in the department’s history. At the time, there were two Black male deputies in the office but no other women. For more than a decade, Blackwell often handled juvenile cases, domestic violence investigations and sexual assault cases — work that would become the foundation of her career.
Blackwell later served with the Manning Police Department, the Third Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office and South Carolina State University’s police department, where she retired from her regular career as a lieutenant. She continues to serve as a South Carolina State Constable, building a public safety career spanning more than 30 years.
Looking back, Blackwell said each step prepared her for her current role as coroner by teaching her how to connect with people during times of crisis.
“It built my confidence in knowing that I can help families during their worst times,” she said.
In 2020, Blackwell was elected Clarendon County coroner after defeating incumbent Bucky Mock. She campaigned on transparency, collaboration with emergency agencies and ensuring families receive compassionate care.
She continues to view the role as deeply personal, describing the office as more than a profession.
“This office is a ministry,” she said. “People are hurting, and they need healing.”
Blackwell credits her sense of empathy to lessons learned during childhood. She said her maternal grandfather, Jasper Burgess, and paternal grandmother, Lucille Montgomery Blackwell, helped shape her understanding of kindness and service.
“They were the most gentle and kind people I knew,” Blackwell said. “That’s all I knew growing up — to be kind and to help others.”
She remembers helping elderly neighbors with chores and watching her family quietly support others in need — lessons that would later guide her approach to law enforcement and public service.
Blackwell also credits mentors and community members who supported her journey, regardless of race or background. She recalls acts of kindness that helped her continue her education and support her family during difficult times. Those experiences, she said, reinforced her belief that opportunity can come from unexpected places and that community support can change the trajectory of a life.
Today, Blackwell hopes her career serves as encouragement for young people, particularly young Black women considering careers in public service or law enforcement.
Her advice is simple but firm: live responsibly, build strong character and remember that public safety is rooted in service, not authority.
“Law enforcement is not about a badge and a gun,” Blackwell said. “It’s about treating people right and helping them get on the right path.”
While Blackwell acknowledges progress for women and African Americans in public safety, she believes the work is far from complete. She hopes the next generation will continue pushing for equality and expanded opportunities.
“I still feel like we’re proving ourselves,” she said. “I just hope the next generation will see something different.”
Reflecting on her career, Blackwell said her greatest hope is seeing Clarendon County continue to grow as a unified and supportive community.
“My dream is to see the type of county that Martin Luther King talked about,” she said. “I’m hoping the next generation will learn the history and make it even better.”
