Frank Blackburn

The Rev. Frank James Blackburn, 70 of Liberty Lane, Taylorsville died Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born March 21, 1941 in Virginia, he was the son of the late Shawn Gene Dobish & Edith Myrtle Blackburn. Frank worked for Maiden Knitting Mills for over 20 years. He also worked for Sherrill?s Furniture for over 15 years and Hickory Dyeing and Winding for 15 years. He was in the U.S. Navy and was a Navy Seal. He was an ordained minister and served as a lay pastor. In addition to his wife, Judy Anne Roberts Blackburn of the home; three daughters, Amy Harris and husband Jeffrey of Newton, Anita Garretson of Mosheim, Tn., and Nicole Wilkinson and husband James of Connelly Springs; a son, Bart Blackburn of Commerce, Tx; three sisters, Mary Bolick of Maiden, Judy Stewart and husband James of Catawba and Marie Boyce of Newton; a brother, Steve Coulter of Lincolnton; six grand-children and three great grand-children survive him. Two brothers, Tony Dobish and Freddie Coulter preceded him in death. A gathering of friends and family will be 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 3, 2011 at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel in Newton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sepsis Alliance, 610 W. Azeele Street, Suite #203, Tampa, Florida 33606. Please sign the online guestbook at www.JenkinsFuneralHome.net. The Blackburn family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Newton.