Donna Hughes Blackburn

Donna Hughes Blackburn, age 95, went home to her Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Donna was born in Allentown, PA, to William and Blanche Hughes of Welsh and Pennsylvania Dutch heritage on February 11, 1923. She entered Duke University aged sixteen, and at nineteen became the first female editor of the Chronicle, Duke’s student newspaper. Donna pursued a career in journalism, writing for the newspaper in Rocky Mount, NC, where she became the first female sports editor on a daily paper in the country. She then spent a decade as editor of the Field Office Log, an employee magazine for Prudential Insurance. As editor, Donna traveled widely and interviewed many prominent people, including the then Vice President. In 1956, she married Albert Walker Blackburn and joined him in Los Angeles, where he worked as a test pilot. Two sons, Bill and Andy, rapidly followed, and daughter Susan after the family moved back to the East Coast. Donna and her family eventually settled in McLean, VA. Donna’s life expressed love to everyone she encountered. She contributed much to her local communities as a volunteer, including as head of PR for the Washington Antiques Show fundraiser, and as a board member for Graydon Manor, an adolescent mental health facility. After raising her family, Donna immersed herself in Christian service by teaching adult Sunday School, as well as ESL at Columbia Baptist Church, where she was a member for many years, and McLean Bible Church. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Albert on March 21, 2011. Donna is survived by her three children and seven grandchildren. Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, April 19 at Columbia Baptist Church, 103 W. Columbia St., Falls Church, VA. The service will be at 4:00 pm in Hoge Memorial Chapel. The reception will follow immediately in Stephenson Hall at the church.