Margaret Ann Blackburn

Margaret Ann Blackburn of Foley, Alabama passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 16. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Claude and their daughter Saundra. She is survived by her daughter Sheila Blackburn, son Jim (Jeanie) Blackburn, grandson Matthew (Shannon) Blackburn, great- grandchildren Austin, Henley, and Jackson Blackburn and loving friend Rose McGarry. Margaret was born to Tom and Ona Hankins on November 8, 1924 in Pike County, Kentucky. She had two brothers, Curtis and Roy. In 1943 when she was 18 years old, she married Claude Blackburn with whom she spent the next 70 years. When Claude returned home from World War II, he and Margaret settled in Sidney, Kentucky where they raised their three children, Sheila, Saundra and Jim. Margaret worked in the medical records department in two hospitals in Kentucky and West Virginia where she made many friends over the years. When Margaret was only 18 her mother passed away and she assumed the role of raising her younger brother, Roy. The two of them enjoyed a close, loving relationship. Her daughter, Saundra died in a car accident in 1974 at the age of twenty- four. One of the joys of Margaret’s life was Matthew, her only grandchild. After Matthew’ s birth she was affectionately known as “Granny” and the two of them spent lots of happy times together. He loved staying at his grandparents’ house and had his own bedroom there. To Margaret’s delight, Matthew and his wife Shannon have three children, Austin, Henley, and Jackson, so “Granny” became “Great Granny.” While living in Frankfort, Kentucky Margaret belonged to the Rebecca’s Lodge and held the office of secretary, treasurer and Noble Grand. She was a member of Farmdale Baptist Church and became good friends with many of the members. In 2011, Margaret and Claude relocated from Kentucky to Alabama to be near their son Jim and his wife Jeanie. They eventually moved into Live Oak Village Assisted Living in Foley where as always, Margaret made many friends. After Claude passed away in 2014, Margaret dealt with many health concerns including a stroke, which took away her ability to walk, but thankfully, her sweet disposition remained. Margaret was a loving and devoted mother, sister, wife, grandmother, and friend. She was caring and generous and always had a smile ready. Everyone who met her commented on how kind and sweet she was. She passed away peacefully with Jim and Jeanie at her side. This website will be updated when plans for a memorial service have been finalized.

Margaret Ann Blackburn

November 8, 1924 - February 16, 2016