Frances Josephine Blackburn

Frances Josephine "Jo" Brickey Blackburn was born on November 15, 1942 and died peacefully on October 2, 2023 at the age of 80 after a long battle with breast cancer. She is survived by her husband James "Jim" Blackburn of 61 years, son James "Rob" Blackburn, daughter Sharon "Sheri" Blackburn-Griffin, son-in-law Jeff Griffin, granddaughters Megan McClain (Caleb) and Abigail Nichols (Thomas), great grandsons Samuel McClain, Brodie Nichols and Silas McClain, brothers Ralph Brickey and Charles (Tamara) Brickey, brother-in-law Bob Card, nieces Lisa Barnes, Paula Higginson and Carol Brickey, nephew Jim Brickey, and cousins Ann Blackshire, John Blackshire, Byron Freeland, Barbara Pryor, Scott Lunsford, Saralee Anderson, and Elaine Fowler. Jo is predeceased by parents Alan and Wilma Brickey, brother-in-law David Blackburn, sister-in-law Zerna Card and daughter Angela "Angie" Lee Blackburn.

Celebration of Life will be 10:00 AM Saturday, October 7, 2023 at First United Methodist Church, Texarkana, AR, with family and friends visiting after the service. Burial will be before the Celebration at 9:00 AM Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Come and go visitation will be 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Friday, October 6, 2023 at East Funeral Home-Downtown.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastfuneralhomes.com for the Blackburn family. Donations to honor Jo may be sent to the First United Methodist Church of Texarkana, Arkansas, the Special Olympics, the Salvation Army, or the animal rescue or environmental charity of your choice.

Jo was born in the Fayetteville City Hospital and grew-up in many places, including Germany, because her father was a Chaplain in the Air Force. She skipped her senior year of high school when her family moved from Marietta, Georgia to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she completed her undergraduate degree and graduate studies at the University of Arkansas.

Jo was a Special Education teacher for over 30 years with the Texarkana, Arkansas school district. She was a Bible Study Fellowship leader, Sunday School President, Treasurer of the Retired Teachers Association, Master Gardener, and volunteer for the Salvation Army. Jo loved the First United Methodist Church of Texarkana, Arkansas. She loved her family, friends, students and pets deeply and was a determined advocate for children with special needs. She believed in a life of service to others and her generous spirit inspired many people throughout her lifetime.