Barbara Clay Henley Blackburn

SALEM - Barbara was born in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. She moved to Salem in the 80's where she eventually began working for State Farm Insurance and retired in 2001. Barbara was best known for her title of "World's Fastest Typist", she held this record in the Guiness book until they removed typing as a category. She was a pioneer of the DVORAK keyboard, and fought diligently to see it listed as an alternative keyboard for typists. Barbara is survived by her children, Clay and Cheryl Rosch of Salem, Sonya and Gary Heard of Salem, James and Lisa Blackburn of Washington and Fredda Blackburn of Colorado; three grandchildren, Nathan Gile, Brandon Gile, and Skyla Blackburn of Salem; and her brother Conrad Henley of Missouri. Services will be held in Pleasant Hill Missouri, where her parents who preceded her in death, await her arrival. Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Brush Creek Theater in Silverton, Oregon or the Marion County Dog Shelter in her name. We'll miss you mom. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.