Benjamin Bentley Blackburn

Roper Funeral Home and Crematory
206 Holly St
Jasper, GA 30143
(706) 253-7500
(706) 253-0040
www.roperfuneralhome.com
Benjamin Bentley Blackburn III, known for his quick wit, boundless adoration for his beloved wife, Mary Pandora Blackburn, his passion for history, and his dedicated service to the United States, passed away on the 3rd of December 2024. He was 97 years old.
He is survived by his children, Michael Blackburn (Jeneen), Robert Blackburn, Kathryn Blackburn Boyce (Ronald W. Boyce), David Blackburn (Beth); sisters, Jane Disbrow (Marcus Disbrow), Nancy Bracewell (James Bracewell); fourteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Born in Atlanta, Blackburn completed his primary and secondary education in the city. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1947 and in 1954 from the Emory University School of Law in Atlanta. Blackburn served in the United States Navy during World War II (1944-1946) and again during the Korean War (1950-1952), retiring as a lieutenant commander in the United States Naval Reserve. He served in the State Attorney General's office from 1955 to 1957 and later began his private legal practice in Atlanta after being admitted to the bar in 1954.
In 1966, Blackburn was elected as a Republican to the Ninetieth Congress. He was reelected to Congress in the three succeeding terms. While in Congress, Blackburn was active on several committees, including Banking and Currency, the Housing Subcommittee, the Joint Economic Committee, the Subcommittee on International Trade of the Bank and Currency Committee, and the Housing and Domestic Finance Committee. Blackburn was the founder and served as president of the Southeastern Legal Foundation from 1976 until 1985. In 1982, he ran for governor of Georgia but was defeated in the Republican primary. He was fundamental in the establishment of the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. and served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1974 until 1982. Additionally, he played an instrumental role in the creation of the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and was honored with the dedication of Blackburn Park in 1972 for his efforts in securing the funds to purchase the land.
A devoted family man, avid reader, and great public speaker with undeniable charisma, Blackburn will be forever remembered and deeply cherished by his family, friends, and all who were fortunate to know and love him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shepherd Center at shepherd.org or Shepherd Center Foundation; Attn. Dean Melcher; 2020 Peachtree Road NW; Atlanta, GA 30309.
A memorial service will be 11:30 a.m., Thursday, January 9, 2025 at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Family in Jasper with Reverend Byron Tindal officiating. Interment will be 3:00 p.m., January 9, 2025 at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia
Arrangements are entrusted to the Staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.