Carl Odell Blackburn, 97, passed away Saturday, January 30, 2016, at the Veterans Home Hospital, Mountain Home, Tenn. He was born December 24, 1918 to the late William Brownlow Blackburn and Mary Ethel Greer Blackburn. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Greer Blackburn. He was also preceded in death by several other relatives: two sons, Elbert Blackburn and James Blackburn; seven sisters, Hazel Carty, Crathie Profitt, Lexie Blackburn, Grace Blackburn, Callie Blackburn, Rosie Blackburn and Anna Lee Day; two brothers, Howard Blackburn and W.A. “Dub” Blackburn; and a son-in-law, Fred Parsons Jr.
Mr. Blackburn was a World War II Army Veteran Master Sergeant from 1941 to 1945. His hobbies were hunting, fishing and playing different musical instruments. He was a member of Cobbs Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Shirley Witcher and husband Doc, Audrey Parsons and Debra Reichert and husband Mike, and two sisters, Georgia Greer and Christine Harmon. Several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and lots of friends also survive.
Funeral services for Mr. Blackburn will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 2, in the Charles B. Hux Memorial Chapel with Pastor Mark Stayton officiating. Military graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday, February 3, in the Blackburn Butler Family Cemetery with Darrell Ward speaking. Active pallbearers will be Fred Parsons III, Michael Harris, Michael Freddie Parsons and Michael Burnett. Honorary pallbearers will be Sue Ward, Darrell Ward, Jamie Ward and his only great-great-grandson, Lotus Harris. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cobbs Creek Baptist Church, Butler, Tenn. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.huxlipfordfh.com.
Professional services for the Blackburn family are in the care of Hux-Lipford Funeral Home, Mountain City.