James Eddie Blackburn

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants” – Psalm 116: 15
Late on Monday night, March 21st 2016, the Lord rejoiced at the homecoming of His faithful servant, Major James Eddie Blackburn.  While Eddie left this earth at the young age of 56, he used the years given to him in impactful and irreplaceable ways. Even down to his last days here on earth, courageously fighting cancer.
Eddie was born in Roaring River to Harvie and Dixie Blackburn on October 31st, 1959.  Upon graduating from East Wilkes High School in 1978, Eddie joined the U.S. Army where he served in Germany for four years before transitioning to the North Carolina National Guard where he served as an Officer with the 105th Engineer Group, retiring at the rank of Major after 22 years. His deployments include Iraq, Honduras, Equador, Panama, Germany, Italy, and Korea just to name a few.
While in the Guard, Eddie also served as a Correctional Officer for the State of North Carolina from 1981 to 1995, and as a Surry County Probation Officer from 1995 to 2012.  As a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Eddie was an active member of the Mission Team and the NC Baptist Men’s team.
While Eddie is no longer walking this Earth with us, his love, impact, and legacy will remain forever.
Eddie is survived by his wife Annette Blackburn, his children Fain (Josh) Barker, James (Olivia) Blackburn, Samantha Newman, and Allison Newman, his grandchildren Hadley Blackburn, Reese Blackburn, and James Dixon Barker, his parents Harvie and Dixie Blackburn, as well as his siblings Criss Blackburn (Randy Mahan), Daryl Blackburn (Kay), and Kim Fulton (Jim), his nieces and nephews Kristen Fulton, Lucas Fulton, Kelsey Blackburn, and Mindy Blackburn.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, March 25, 2016 at 11:00 am at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church with Pastor Mitch Smith officiating.  A military graveside service will follow in the church cemetery. The family will be receiving friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service.
In lieu of flowers, Eddie had previously requested for donations to be made to Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church – North Carolina Baptist Men’s team, 1997 Pleasant Ridge Road, State Road, North Carolina, 28676.