Edward Laverne Blacksheare passed away on October 17, 2020 at age 94. He was born on August 3, 1926, to Irene and Allen Blacksheare in Sanford FL. He attended high school at Crooms Academy. He received a bachelor's degree at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA., and a master's degree at Atlanta University.

Edward returned to Sanford after college and worked as a high school teacher and football coach for Seminole County Schools at Crooms Academy. There he rose to the position of school principal. He served over 30 years providing educational, social, and civic support services to the community as a teacher, school administrator, leader, and activist.

Organizational affiliations include Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, NAACP, and Coordinator of Bethune-Cookman College Extension Program @ Crooms Academy. The longest running and it remains active today. Additionally this site has graduated more students than any of the existing off-campus sites.  He was a member of the Zoning/Planning Board of Sanford, Chairman of the Seminole County Port Authority, Chairman of the SEEDCO Board, President/Business Manager of Local Education Association, and member of the Board of Trustees Seminole State College. He was a proud member of Allen Chapel AME Church in Sanford.

Recognition for his outstanding service was numerous. He was named Seminole County's Principal of the Year and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Man of the Year. He received the NAACP Outstanding Service Award. The Seminole County Public School Board voted to name Seminole High School's Ninth Grade Center to the Edward Blacksheare Campus in honor of his service.

He was the founder of the Edward Blacksheare Young Men of Excellence Endowed Scholarship. The Young Men of Excellence program provides mentoring, coaching, and facilitating academic performance to enhance the social, emotional, academic, and health outcomes for African-American males in Seminole County public schools. It provides financial assistance to students to help pay for tuition, fees, and textbooks.

Edward was preceded in death by wife Susie Harrington-Blacksheare and granddaughter Armeshia Blacksheare.

He leaves a loving family including two sons Edward Blacksheare, Jr. (spouse Melva Craft-Blacksheare) who resides in Detroit, MI, and Allen Holiday, who lives in Orlando, FL. Four grandchildren - Jason Blacksheare, Edna Blacksheare-Smith (spouse Frederick Smith), Chioke Blacksheare (spouse Asha Jackson), and Lilly Holiday. Four great-grandchildren – Nautica Blacksheare, Caleb Smith, Hannah Smith, and Mya Smith. One great-great-grandchild – Nehemiah Blacksheare-Lemos. Former spouse: Patricia Simmons; Also, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.