Joyce Knight Blackburn

Joyce Blackburn Obituary

MOUNT VERNON, Ind. — Joyce Knight Blackburn, 88, of St. Simons Island, Georgia, died October 23, 2009, in Brunswick, Georgia. Predeceased by her longtime friend and fellow author, Eugenia Price, Blackburn was the only child of the late Reverend Leroy and Mrs. Audry Knight Blackburn. Born November 1, 1920, in Posey County, Indiana, Blackburn graduated in April 1942 from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. At age 17, she began working as a vocalist with Moody's radio station WMBI where she was mentored by the renowned soloist George Beverly Shea. She worked for WMBI for twenty-two years and became the first female to be promoted to Production Supervisor for the station's programming. Blackburn left the radio business to write children's books and biographies for young people and in the 1960s she and Eugenia Price moved to St. Simons Island.

Blackburn is best known for her Suki books: "Suki and the Invisible Peacock," "Suki and the Old Umbrella," "Suki and the Magic Sand Dollar," and "Suki and the Wonder Star." Blackburn's other works include: "Sir Wilfred Grenfell: Doctor and Explorer"; "Theodore Roosevelt: Statesman and Naturalist"; "John Adams: Farmer from Braintree, Champion of Independence"; "Martha Berry: A Woman of Courageous Spirit and Bold Dreams"; "James Edward Oglethorpe"; "George Wythe of Williamsburg: Teacher of Jefferson and Signer of the Declaration of Independence"; "The Earth Is the Lord's?"; "Roads to Reality"; "A Book of Praises"; "The Bloody Summer of 1742"; "A Colonial Boy's Journal"; "Phoebe's Secret Diary: Daily Life and First Romance of a Colonial Girl."

Blackburn was honored by Georgia Governor Zell Miller with the Governor's Award in the Humanities in 1996. She was an active supporter of the Fort Frederica National Monument and a charter member of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. Other awards and activities included: Literary Achievement Award for Non-Fiction from Georgia Writers Association for Martha Berry; C.S. Lewis Award from National Association of Christian Schools for "Suki and the Wonder Star" and she was President of the Eugenia Price/Joyce Blackburn Charitable Foundation, which sponsors annual literary programs in the local schools and also makes financial bequests to numerous humanitarian organizations.

Following private interment in the Christ Episcopal churchyard, a memorial service for Ms. Blackburn will be held at a later date at the St. Simons Presbyterian Church.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of The Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA 31525, or the Eugenia Price-Joyce Blackburn Charitable Foundation, c/o Eileen Humphlett, 280 Island Drive, Murphy, North Carolina 28906.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, (912) 265-3636, www.edomillerandsons.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Courier Press on Oct. 26, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Joyce Blackburn

Sponsored by Hudson Miller.

4 Entries

Leighton Chapman

December 9, 2016

The "Suki" record is a vivid memory of my childhood. I still have the original, along with three that I purchased from eBay. I have learned so much, recently, about her life. What a wonderful relationship she had.

November 22, 2009

Mildred HUie Wilcox, St. Simons Island, Georgia. To Eileen Humphlett. Murphy, North Carolina. I was out of town the day of the Memorial Service for Joyce. I just wanted you to know how very much she meant to me and to my family. We had the first autograph party for her here at the Gallery with the Suki books. Thank you for the Easel and artifacts you selected to place in the Mildred Huie Museum. They mean a lot to me as they do to visitors. I never saw Joyce without that pretty smile. She is already missed by her many friends she made during her years on St. Simons. Deepest Sympathy, Millie Wilcox

Missie Carrigan

October 27, 2009

When I think of Joyce passing I am not sad, instead I am reminded of how Joy-filled she was, and it makes me smile. Just like her mother, she was a living expression of Love in my eyes. She was slow to judge anyone for anything of human nature. She was not fond of hatred. She loved people, especially children. I am blessed with a memory of her smile, her wit, her common sense, and above all her love of having a good time and socializing.
To her family and friends on St Simon's Island, I am sad for your loss of this beloved friend. Peace be with you as time passes.

Becky Roos

October 26, 2009

When I was a kid, I lived across the street from Joyce's parents. I would always look forward to her coming home to visit, she was a joy to be around. She would spend hours readiing to me. I still have my copy of Suki and the Invisible Peacock, it has always been one of my favorite children's stories.
I know she will be missed but is in a far better place reunited with her mom and dad. God Bless you!!!!

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