Sheila Fender Blackburn

She is predeceased by her father, Louis Hill Fender and mother Helen Duffy Fender.

Surviving family members include her sister, Eileen Fender Ryan; Nieces Sheila Ryan Smith and Constance Ryan Marsden; Great nephews Lewis Smith and Avery Marsden.

Sheila’s father, Colonel Louis Hill Fender was a career Army officer. He rose through

the enlisted man ranks to become an officer, having served both in World War II and two combat tours during the Viet Nam conflict. The family was stationed in many locales, stateside and abroad, including: Fort Belvoir, VA; Anchorage, AK; Atlanta, GA; Indianapolis, Indiana; Heidelberg, Germany and again to Virginia.

Sheila met her future husband, Stephen Venning Blackburn, while attending high school in Atlanta, GA. They were married April 29,1978 in Atlanta, GA.

Sheila earned her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Georgia, Athens, GA and her master's degree from Winthrop College, Rock Hill, SC. She was a Special Education teacher for emotionally disturbed children for 30 years; fifteen years for Conroe ISD in Conroe, TX and Wiley ISD in Wiley, TX and fifteen years for Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, FL where she retired in 2016.

Sheila and Steve moved frequently during their marriage: Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Columbia, SC; Houston, TX; Dallas, TX, before settling in Jacksonville, FL in 2001 to be closer to her family, whom she loved dearly.

Sheila’s “happy place” was the beach. She often traveled to Jacksonville for family vacations on Vilano Beach near Saint Augustine, FL. The family would rent a house on the beach. Sheila especially enjoyed sitting on the deck, enjoying the late afternoons and evenings and the ocean breezes with her family. Her favorite beach vacation spot was Caneel Bay in the Virgin Islands on the island of Saint John. Another favorite vacation spot was Scotland, where she spent several extended holidays with her cousin, Mary McLean of Atlanta, GA.

Sheila adored her dogs, of which she had ten Boxers and a Great Dane during her lifetime. They were always raised in pairs and as her family, were treated with all the love and care that entails. Surviving boxers include Sophie and Abby.

Sheila will never be forgotten; always remembered as an amazing, loving and supportive wife to her husband Steve and as a wonderful sister and aunt to her surviving family.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Jacksonville, FL or the Alzheimer’s Association.