Fred Basil Blackburn

Notes:

He was the son of the late Hill and Pearl Wagner Blackburn and was born in Johnson County. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of sixth-three years, Dora Grindstaff Blackburn; a brother and two sisters.

Mr. Blackburn was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a member of the Hampton First Baptist Church where he had served as a deacon. He loved to sing and direct music at the church.

He is survived by two sons, Basil Blackburn and his wife, Phyllis of Johnson City; Albert Blackburn and his wife, Tammy, Marion, VA; a daughter, Darlene Taylor and her husband, Carl, Johnson City; four grandchildren, Brian Blackburn, Chad Blackburn, Bonnie Buckles, Jenny Taylor; three step-grandchildren, Tiffany Little, Trevor Mensch and Taryn Mensch; two great-grandchildren, Brianna Blackburn and Allison Blackburn; two brothers, Stuart Blackburn, Elizabethton; Elmer Blackburn, Butler; two sisters, Mary Depew, Johnson City; Anna Ruth Moreland, Butler. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

The funeral service for Mr. Blackburn will be conducted on Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 5:00 PM in the Chapel of Peace, Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Rev. Mike Hyder officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 3:00 to 5:00 PM on Sunday prior to the service, or at the homes of any of the family at other times. The graveside service and interment will be conducted on Monday, January 2, 2012 at 11:00 AM in the Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends.

Fred married Dora R. Grindstaff on 26 Jul 1942 in , Johnson County, Tennessee, . Dora (daughter of Robert Sherman Grindstaff and Leatie M. Stout) was born on 5 Sep 1922 in Johnson County, , , Tennessee; died on 24 Apr 2005 in , Carter County, Tennessee, ; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, Carter County, Tennessee, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

JOHNSON CITY - Basil Lyle Blackburn, age 76, of Johnson City, Tennessee went home to be with the Lord at his home on Thursday, June 8, 2023 surrounded by his beloved family. Basil was born in Elizabethton and raised in Johnson County and Hampton, to the late Fred Blackburn and Dora Rita (Grindstaff) Blackburn. In addition to his parents, Basil was also preceded in death by his great grandson, “Little Man”- Richard Killian Owens; several aunts and uncles; his mother-in-law, Myrtle Moody; and his brother-in-law, Wayne Hicks.

Basil was a mechanic by trade and could fix anything! He never gave up on trying or doing anything he put his mind too but most of all he loved and cherished his family. Basil had excelled at many things and had a wonderful, hard-working heart of gold. He had owned and operated a Roadrunner Express Delivery Service, Mr. B’s Service Center and Aunt B’s Restaurant. To say he was talented would be a tremendous understatement.

Basil attended Pinecrest Baptist Church where he was a former Deacon. He attended church religiously until his health prevented it. He had also worked with the youth of the church in past years, including youth trips and outings. Basil loved all animals, but especially his dog, Reese. A family man at heart, Basil treasured his trips with his family to the beach, riding motorcycles and children of all ages that were drawn to Basil because of his kind, loving heart.

Those left to remember and cherish Basil’s memories include his loving wife, Phyllis Blackburn; two sons, Brian Blackburn and Chad (Mandy) Blackburn; his granddaughters, Brianna Owens and Allison (Hunter) Hampton; his brother, Albert (Tammy) Blackburn and his sister, Darlene (Carl) Taylor and family; his sister-in-law, Pat Moody Hicks; several nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members also survive as well as his special cousins, Kenny Grindstaff and Charlie Grindstaff, special niece, Sherry Tilson, special family friend, Shirley Butler and many, many friends that will miss him so very much, too many to list, but they know they were loved.

A service to celebrate the life of Basil Lyle Blackburn will be conducted at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton with Mr. Garry Edwards officiating. Emory Cordell will also speak at the service. Music will be under the direction of Larry Pate. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM in the funeral home chapel prior to the service on Tuesday.

The graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at Roselawn Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Kenny Grindstaff, Dennis Bailey, Herman Wyatt, Hunter Hampton, Hobie Hyder, Kenneth Harrison, David Hicks, Clay McNabb, and Steve Tilson. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Keller, David Vaught, Emory Cordell, Bob Richards, Larry Pate, Buster Hodge, Ronnie Reeser and Charlie Grindstaff.