Albert Blackburn

Albert Clay Blackburn, Sr. 65 of Ester Bandy Road, Catawba died Thursday, May 03, 2012 at Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Sherrills Ford. Born July 13, 1946 he was the son of the late James Albert Blackburn and Wilma Jane Bunton Roberts. Albert was a member of Unity Missionary Baptist Church where he became a Sunday school teacher. He was a truck driver for most of his life. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, where he worked in the motor pool. In addition to his wife of 34 years, Joyce Elaine Hammonds Blackburn of the home; two daughters, Tina Miller and husband Tommy of Dayton, TX and LeeAnne Morrow and husband Daniel of Cleveland, TX; three sons, Junior Blackburn and wife Missy of Catawba, NC, Jimmy Freeman and wife Lori of Claremont and Levi Breiten and wife Cynthia of New Caney, TX; two sisters, Libby Tolley of Taylorsville and Trina Combs and husband Jim of Conover; a brother, Robert Blackburn of Catawba; 8 grandchildren, Tommy Miller and Tyson Miller, Brittani and Tiffani Freeman, Jacob and Colby Blackburn and Jake and Brianne Morrow; and two great grand-children, Delaney and Hadley Miller and a number of nieces and nephews survive him. Three brothers and two sisters preceded him in death. The funeral will be 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 7, 2012 at Olivet Baptist Church. Pastor Eric Blankenship will officiate. Burial will follow at Olivet Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at Concord UMC in Catawba, NC. Pallbearers include Tyler Hefner, T.J. Angle, Ryan Meadows, Ricky Richards, Gary Shook and Wes Morrison. Honorary Pallbearer will be Charlie Bowles. Graveside rites will be provided by American Legion Post #16. Memorials may be made to Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road Newton, NC 28658. Please sign the online guestbook at www.JenkinsFuneralHome.net. The Blackburn family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Newton.