Johnnie S. Blackburn
April 28, 1912 — September 16, 2009
Johnnie S. Blackburn
Johnnie Blackburn, 97, of Kingsport, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2009. She was born in Cherryville, NC, on April 28, 1912 to the late Edgar C. and Edith Stroupe.
She graduated in 1929 as valedictorian of her Cherryville High School class and in 1933 from the Women's College of the University of North Carolina. She taught school in Cherryville and Charlotte, NC. She and J.D. successfully operated Blackburn News Agency in Kingsport from 1945 to 1985. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Kingsport and the D.A.R.
Johnnie loved people, reading, playing bridge, telling stories, and traveling. Her wonderful ability to make friends, remember everyone, and make connections among people resulted in a wealth of friends of all ages. Her adventurous spirit resulted in a world of good travel memories, including 29 Elder Hostel trips, many of them international, which earned her the nickname, 'the Go-Go Granny.' Johnnie was always proud to be both a Tar Heel and a Volunteer. In the last months, Johnnie described her life as happy and complete. She expressed deep gratitude for the gifts of loving friends and family who so enriched her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, J.D. Blackburn, in 1987.
Johnnie is survived by her children, Joe Blackburn and wife Karen of Nashville, John Blackburn and wife Jenni of Washington, D.C., and Mary Sayman and husband Robert of Charlotte, NC; her grandchildren, Ty Sayman of Friedsrichshafen, Germany, Ian Blackburn of Knoxville, Eric Sayman and wife Sheri of Charlotte, NC, Jennifer Sayman Calhoun and husband Bo of Tupelo, MS, Jessica Blackburn DeLucia and husband Craig of Charlotte, NC, Evan Blackburn of Las Vegas, NV, Brent Blackburn of Nashville, Montie Blackburn of New York, NY, and Elise Blackburn of Nashville; and eight great-grandchildren, Kyle, Jordan, and Emma Sayman, Carter and Davis Sayman, Anna Boatner, and Hudson Calhoun.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church in Kingsport with Dr. David A. Cagle officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Johnnie's memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church; 101 W. Church Circle; Kingsport, TN 37660.
She graduated in 1929 as valedictorian of her Cherryville High School class and in 1933 from the Women's College of the University of North Carolina. She taught school in Cherryville and Charlotte, NC. She and J.D. successfully operated Blackburn News Agency in Kingsport from 1945 to 1985. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Kingsport and the D.A.R.
Johnnie loved people, reading, playing bridge, telling stories, and traveling. Her wonderful ability to make friends, remember everyone, and make connections among people resulted in a wealth of friends of all ages. Her adventurous spirit resulted in a world of good travel memories, including 29 Elder Hostel trips, many of them international, which earned her the nickname, 'the Go-Go Granny.' Johnnie was always proud to be both a Tar Heel and a Volunteer. In the last months, Johnnie described her life as happy and complete. She expressed deep gratitude for the gifts of loving friends and family who so enriched her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, J.D. Blackburn, in 1987.
Johnnie is survived by her children, Joe Blackburn and wife Karen of Nashville, John Blackburn and wife Jenni of Washington, D.C., and Mary Sayman and husband Robert of Charlotte, NC; her grandchildren, Ty Sayman of Friedsrichshafen, Germany, Ian Blackburn of Knoxville, Eric Sayman and wife Sheri of Charlotte, NC, Jennifer Sayman Calhoun and husband Bo of Tupelo, MS, Jessica Blackburn DeLucia and husband Craig of Charlotte, NC, Evan Blackburn of Las Vegas, NV, Brent Blackburn of Nashville, Montie Blackburn of New York, NY, and Elise Blackburn of Nashville; and eight great-grandchildren, Kyle, Jordan, and Emma Sayman, Carter and Davis Sayman, Anna Boatner, and Hudson Calhoun.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church in Kingsport with Dr. David A. Cagle officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Johnnie's memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church; 101 W. Church Circle; Kingsport, TN 37660.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Johnnie S. Blackburn, please visit our flower store.
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