Stephen Kern Blackmon

Stephen Kern Blackmon, 95, passed away on May 11, 2022, at Litchford Falls Nursing Home, Raleigh, North Carolina. He was born in Salisbury NC, on September 21, 1926 to Manly and Eliza Kern Blackmon. He graduated from Durham High School, then served in the Navy from 1944-1946 during WWII on the USS Omaha. After military service, Steve earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. After college graduation, he went to work for GMAC as a Financial Supervisor until his retirement in 1985. He married Dixie Crumpler on February 2, 1957 and shared 65 years of marriage. They moved to Raleigh in 1962. After retirement, Steve worked for Equifax for 8 years. He helped to begin Special Education classes for children with disabilities and was instrumental in starting Group Homes for the disabled in Wake County. He was honored as 2003 Civitan of the Year in the Capital City Civitan Club. In 1959, Steve completed the Dale Carnegie Course in Effective Speaking Leadership Training and Human Relations. In 1971, he completed a course of instruction in Fundamentals of Real Estate from W. W. Holding Technical Institute, Raleigh. He and Dixie became members of St. John's Baptist Church, Raleigh, in 1963, and have remained active for 59 years. Steve served as deacon, trustee, Sunday School Teacher, and on many committees. He is survived by his wife Dixie Blackmon; three sons, Wesley Blackmon of Raleigh, Russell Blackmon (Nancy) of Cameron, NC, Randall Blackmon (Linda) of Cambridge, MD; four grandchildren, Katie Blackmon of Athens, GA, Rachel McCreary (Josh) of Raleigh, Gracie Ruark (Luke) of Salisbury, MD, and David Blackmon (Chloe) of Manhattan, KS; three great-grandchildren, Paislee and Parker Blackmon and Adalynn McCreary. Funeral service will be held 11 am, Monday, May 16, 2022, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC, Visitation will precede the service at 10 am. Dr. Richard Wynne officiating. Memorial gifts can be made to St. John's Baptist Church, 1615A Oberlin Road, Raleigh, NC 27608. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownwynneeastmillbrook.com for the Blackmon family.