James Harold Blackburn

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James “Jim” Harold Blackburn, 98, a lifelong resident of Maury County, died Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at The Bridge where he had made his home for the last year.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Randy Sprouse officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

He was born on June 30, 1927 in Santa Fe, TN to the late Matthew Blackburn and the late Nettie Alice Smith Blackburn. Jim served in the United States Navy on board the U.S.S. Iowa during WW II. For many years he worked as a millwright at UCAR and served as a preacher at Lanton Church of Christ and Mt. Zion Church of Christ. He was an avid golfer, golfing until the age 96 and being a part of the Early Morning Golfers-The Rabbit Chasers, loved working on his convertible Mustang and his Ford Model A, but his greatest joy in life came from his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a member of Mooresville Pike Church of Christ.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Tommy Carpenter of Columbia; grandchildren, Jason (Kristin) Carpenter and Tiffany (Alan) Martin; great grandchildren, Lukas and Harper Martin, and Jake Carpenter; special neighbors the Schrader family; and special friends Suzanne Turner, Betty Jo Turner, Faye and Cromer Jackson.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Nellie Ruth Pratt Blackburn on January 23, 2009; son Tony Harold Blackburn; sisters, Juanita Roberts, Fannie Mae Hood, Margaret Vincion; brothers, Lester, Leslie, M.T. and Hubert Blackburn.

Pallbearers will be Eddie Pratt, Jimmy Pratt, Greg Walters, Alan Faulkner, Alan Martin, and Jason Carpenter. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Mooresville Pike Church of Christ and the Early Morning Golfers-The Rabbit Chasers.