Clarence Edward Blackburn

On Friday, June 20, 2014, CSM Clarence Edward Blackburn had a date to keep. He had laid his beloved wife, Shirley, to rest the previous Friday. Friday nights were Clarence and Shirley’s date night, and he couldn’t live another Friday without her. He died peacefully at the NC State Veterans Nursing Home in Fayetteville.

Clarence was born June 6, 1938 in Mammoth Spring, AR. He was the first of four kids born to Anna Lee (Cowen) Blackburn and Harvey Clarence Blackburn. His family moved to Michigan when he was young. While he was there, he learned to play pool from one of Detroit’s top professional billiard players. He enlisted in the Michigan National Guard on May 4, 1957.

His family then moved to Missouri where he worked as a stone mason. He met Shirley Ruth Jackson in 1958 and was immediately smitten. They were married on June 6, 1959.

Clarence joined the U.S. Army and began a long career that took him and his family all over the U.S. and Germany. He served four tours of duty in Vietnam, volunteering for the last three tours. He retired in 1986 as a Command Sgt. Major. He was last assigned to the 548th Eng. Battalion at Ft. Bragg.

During his career, Clarence received many awards. They included: the Bronze Star Medal (1st oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd oak leaf cluster), Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (7 awards), Vietnam Campaign Medal, NCO Professional development ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, Sharpshooter, and the Marksmanship badge/carbine. He was awarded the Gallantry Cross by the Republic of Vietnam.

His family always knew that he had a strong work ethic. But, as we sift through all of his Army records, we are even more proud when we see all of the letters of commendation he received. He even had two of his commanding officers state that he was by far the best CSM in the entire Army.

He was told he was being recommended for the job of Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA), but turned it down. His wife had a lot of back pain from scoliosis, and he knew that she would be expected to entertain a lot if he took that position. As dedicated as he was to the Army, he was even more devoted to his wife and children.

After he retired, he managed a KFC for a while. In 1991, he and his wife purchased All Green Lawn Care.

Clarence and Shirley had four children. He enjoyed taking his kids fishing, to car races, teaching them how to play baseball, to ride bikes, to do cartwheels, and much more. His children always knew him as a man who could do anything (except spell well). He could build a house from the ground up. He used to make furniture for their home. He could sew and would make clothes for his wife, or curtains for the windows. He loved to garden and had the best vegetable gardens around. He always planted way too much and would share his bounty with his neighbors.

His biggest accomplishment was as husband to Shirley. They were deeply in love and weren’t afraid to show affection towards each other around their children. They were best friends who were honest with each other, communicated with each other, and never took each other for granted. He stood by her side when she was sick and took care of her until he no longer could. They had the kind of love and marriage that many long for, or that others think isn’t possible. Oh, but it was possible, and they were even more in love on their 55th anniversary than they were on their 1st.

Those who were lucky enough to now Clarence, knew that he was an honest man. He was a man of his word. He was faithful, loving, and fun. He was a true gentleman who above all loved his family fiercely. As an adult, he did not go to church much, but he was a born-again Christian. He and his wife would watch sermons on TV together when she was no longer able to attend church.

Clarence is survived by his son, Kenneth Blackburn and three daughters: Lisa (Mario) Sepulveda, Cindy (James) Hardy, and Marjorie (John) Shull. He is survived by three granddaughters: Kristena (Russ) Mitchell, Heather (Jamar) Poindexter, and Morgan Hardy; and by three great grandchildren: Russ Michael Mitchell, Coby Mitchell, and Araynah Poindexter. He is survived by two sisters, Betty (Ronald) Kerwood and Ruth Whitesell; and a brother, Robert (Penne) Blackburn.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Ruth (Jackson) Blackburn; his parents; three brothers-in-law, Milford Allen Whitesell, Gary Lynn Jackson and Alan Roy Jackson; a sister-in-law, Joan (DeHart) Jackson; a nephew, William James Robinson, Jr.; and two nieces, Anita Morgan and Treasa Halfacre.

The family will receive friends from 7 – 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24th, at Reeves Funeral Home; 3308 N. Main St., Hope Mills, NC 28348. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. On Wednesday, June 25th, in Reeves Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Cumberland Memorial Gardens, 4509 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28304. He will be buried with full military honors, just as he deserves.

Arrangements under the direction of Reeves Funeral Home, Hope Mills, NC.