Mary Ellen Blackburn

Mimi was born December 11, 1926, in the mountain community of Travelers Rest, South Carolina. She graduated from Travelers Rest High School, Mars Hill College, NC and Mission Hospital Laboratory, Asheville, NC.

Mimi accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at ten years of age. She was a wonderful example of what a Christian daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother should be. She had many, many friends that she influenced by the example of her faith. She was her happiest in the rose garden where even the roses responded to her light.

In adulthood, she taught children’s Sunday School for 30+ years. She also taught Bible in the schools of Marion County. She was a member of Pioneer Garden Club of Ocala and the Marion County Rose Society. For most of her life, Mimi lived in Ocala with her loving husband James and her two cherished daughters. Following the death of her husband of 51 years, she stayed in Ocala until she moved to Jacksonville. She made the move to be near her daughters, Marcia Straub, Lyn Deckman, her son-in-law George, whom she lovingly called “son George”, and the love of her life, her only granddaughter Abbey.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, James Blackburn, her parents Mae and Sloan Cunningham, three brothers, Norwood, Ralph and Charles and one sister, Evelyn. She is survived by her Jacksonville, Florida family, three devoted nieces, Saundra, Chele and Chaun and two nephew, Joe and Pat.

In lieu of flowers the family requests remembrances to either Community Hospice and Palliative Care of NE Florida, Samaritan’s Purse or First Baptist Church of Jacksonville.

A visitation for Mary will be held Wednesday, August 25, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223, followed by a funeral service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.