BLACKBURN

“A flame in the dark, flickering loves true light of unconditional love that shines so bright.”

Georgia Edith Blackburn departed this life Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013.

She was born on Dec. 1, 1931, to L.V. Johnson and Mary Lee Miskel Johnson of Kentwood. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School on June 5, 1952. Following graduation she worked for Charity Hospital in New Orleans as a nurse’s aide. It was there she met and then married Willie R. Blackburn Sr. on April 9, 1955. She was a devoted wife, and mother who traveled throughout the United States and abroad alongside her military husband, until their tour of duty brought them to Fairbanks, Alaska, where she lived for 42 years. She worked for Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, Alyeska Pipeline and later Fairbanks Home Health Services.

Georgia was actively involved in her children’s’ education and their various activities, always encouraging them to pursue their goals. She had a very special bond with each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoyed being part of the senior programs in Fairbanks and in Atlanta, as well as giving back to the community through the NAACP. She also was involved as an advisory council member for the non-profit organization, Divas With A Cause, Inc. Her laughter, lighthearted wit, gentle touch and love for life will be greatly missed but never forgotten. She was as a quiet, peaceful and kind neighbor, a law-abiding citizen and a women you were pleased to know.

But regardless of our worth or vocation in life, when our appointed time comes, we must go. At 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18, our Lord and Savior came and escorted her across the Jordan River to a place where there is no more sickness, sorrow or pain. She was not alarmed at the thought of dying. She knew her time had come and found assurance in the words of one of her favorite hymns, “Blessed Assurance.”

She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Willie R. Blackburn Sr.; a son, Anthony; and infant daughter, Angel Georgia; her mother, Mary Lee Johnson; two aunts, Edith Miskel Larry and Georgia Lee Atkins; and two uncles, Richard Miskel and J.C. Miskel.

She is survived by six loving children who will always cherish her memory: Jacqueline M. Bradley of Marietta, Ga., Lester V. Blackburn (Jessie) of Fairbanks, Willie R. Blackburn Jr. (Debra) of Fairbanks, Maryline M. Blackburn (Alan) of Smyrna, Ga., Benjamin R. Blackburn of Fairbanks and Gwendolyn M. Blackburn of Austin, Texas; 11 grandchildren, Katina (Rashid), Glenn, Larisa, Casey, Rosemary, Willie III, Whitné, Anthony, Quinton, Zavier and Havean; seven great-grandchildren, Jasmine, Calvin, Tyler, Armand, Nehemiah, Kisha and Donte); sisters-in-law, Martha Blackburn and Sharon Blackburn; brother in-law, Matthew (Diane) Blackburn Jr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral arrangements have been scheduled for Saturday, August 24 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Mt. Hermon. Interment will follow in Mt. Olive Cemetery.

Please sign the guestbook at www.crainandsons.com.