Harry Milton Blackford

With grace and peace, Mr. Harry Milton Blackford, 87, of Poca, West Virginia-formerly of Memphis, Tennessee-entered eternal rest at the Hospice House in Charleston, WV, on August 21, 2025.
Harry was a retired educator with the Memphis City School System and served as a surgical technologist at Baptist Memorial Hospital. He held two terms as President of the Association of Surgical Technologists and was honored as a Fellow for his outstanding contributions to the field.
A gifted athlete, Harry was an All-State football player at Marion High School and played for Memphis State University during his freshman year.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Harry's life was deeply rooted in faith and service. While attending Memphis State, he served as President of the Baptist Student Union and participated in missionary work. He faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and Deacon for many years. He was a devoted member of several congregations, including Prescott Memorial Baptist, Cherry Road Baptist, Waypoint Baptist (formerly Broadmoor Baptist), and Heizer Community Church.
Harry found great joy in spending time with his grandchildren, tending to his yard and flower beds, reading, and cheering for the Memphis Tigers football and basketball teams.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years, Mary Anne Blackford; his parents, Ella Margaret and Ronald Earl Blackford; brothers Bo, Bobby, Gene, Jimmy, and John Blackford; and sisters Betty Blackford and Dorothy Pepper.
He is lovingly remembered by his two children, Allison Bailey (Reed) and Ron Blackford; four grandchildren, Brian and Ashleigh Bailey, Abigail Fisher (Cody), and Caleb Blackford; one great-grandchild, Ryder Farley; and his sisters Beatrice Lugar, Ella Blackford, Elizabeth Baser, and Gaylin Simpson-along with a multitude of nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 27th at Waypoint Baptist Church, 5866 Stage Road, Bartlett, TN. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. The burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. at New Haven Cemetery, 1185 Madie Road, Ridgely, TN.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the physicians, nurses, therapists, and nursing assistants who provided compassionate care for Harry during his final year.
Harry lived a life marked by faith, service, and love-a quiet strength that uplifted everyone around him. His legacy endures in the lives he touched, the family he cherished, and the example he set. Though he has gone home to be with the Lord, his spirit remains with us-in every lesson taught, every flower planted, and every story told. We will miss him deeply, but we celebrate a life well-lived and a soul well-loved.
Psalm 23:6
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."