Martha Blackburn

1923 - 2019

    Martha Blackburn, 95, of Ypsilanti, MI formerly of Pike County, KY, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2019, at Superior Woods.  She was born November 5, 1923 in Pikeville, KY, the daughter of Jackson and Missouri May Smith.
     On February 21, 1939, she married Virgil Blackburn and following 45 years of marriage, he preceded her in death, December 30, 1984.  Martha was a member of Community Free Will Baptist Church. 
     Survivors include seven children, Sheila (Lane) Lipps of KY, Priscilla Grimmett of Ypsilanti, MI, Rocky (Marsha) Blackburn of NC, Janice (Ray) Winkelman of Ypsilanti, MI, Eleanor Boyd of KY, Elvis (Debbie) Blackburn of Clinton Township, MI and Marguarita (Jim) Langham of KY; 23 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; one sister, Eula Mae Lane of Pike County, KY and a host of nieces and nephews.
     In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, three sons, Dewey, Leroy and Virgil Jr. "Sonny"; her step father, Will Stiltner; four sisters, Hazel Varney, Thelma Hayton, Mary Hensley and Belvie Barnette and two brothers, Willis and Lonzo Smith.
     Visitation will be from 12-7 pm Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at Ypsilanti Old Regular Baptist Church, 5668 Denton Road, Canton where services will be held at 5 pm.  Funeral services will be held 2 pm Friday, April 19, 2019 at R. E. Rogers Funeral Home in Belfry, KY with burial to follow in the Mountain View Memory Gardens, Huddy, KY.  R. E. Rogers Funeral Home is serving the Blackburn family with local arrangements.