Georgia Marie Blackburn

Georgia Marie James Blackburn, born on March 3, 1926, in McCombs, Pike County, Kentucky, to the late Clarence and Rebecca Spears James, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2017, at her home in Beckley, WV. She had one brother, Fred James, who preceded her in death in 2010.

Georgia graduated from Pikeville High School in 1945 and attended Pikeville College. She married Glen Blackburn in 1948 following his service in WW II. The couple moved to Kopperston, WV, where they raised their family. After 24 years of marriage, Glen was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1972.

Family meant so much to Georgia and she delighted in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Friends and family knew her to be a meticulous homemaker and gardener, and a gifted seamstress. After her husband’s death, Georgia moved to Beckley, WV. She was a member of the Beckley United Methodist Temple from 1988 until her passing.

Left to cherish her memory are two daughters: Glenda Epperly (Mason) of Cool Ridge, WV; and Kay Bunn (Jim) of Bristol, VA; five grandchildren: Don Epperly (Connie) of Clarksburg, WV; Jim Bunn II (Brooke) of Abingdon, VA; Rebecca Bunn Pittman (Jason) of Bristol, VA; Lesley Epperly Cottrell (Scott) of Morgantown, WV; and Joseph Glen Bunn (Haley) of Charleston, WV. Georgia was the proud great-grandmother to ten: Dylan Epperly of Finley, OH; Jack Bunn of Tuscaloosa, AL; Matthew Epperly of Morgantown, WV; Catherine and Claire Bunn of Abingdon, VA; McKenna and Liam Cottrell of Morgantown, WV; Blaine and Graham Pittman of Bristol, VA; and Georgia (Gigi) Bunn of Charleston, WV.

The family wishes to thank the many wonderful people who helped care for their mother during her recent illness: the staff of English Meadows Assisted Living in Abingdon, VA; the doctors and staff at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, VA; the rehab team and nurses at Valley Rehab in Chilhowie, VA; Allay Homecare of Beckley, WV; and all the prayers and cards from friends and relatives.

There will be a celebration of Georgia’s 91 years of life on Saturday, March 18 at the Beckley United Methodist Temple chapel at 2pm. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Beckley United Methodist Temple (201 Templeview Drive, Beckley, WV 25801) or to Hospice of Southern West Virginia (454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801).

Online condolences may be viewed and shared with the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, WV, has the honor of serving the Blackburn family.