Elender S. Blackburn

Elender Blackburn, 86, passed away on January 24, 2012 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Mrs Blackburn was born in Angier, NC. She was the daughter of the late William and Mavis Stephenson. She is preceded in death by her husband, Clifton Blackburn, and brothers, Howard, Darnell, and Loyd Stephenson and a sister, Ann Greer. She was a longtime devoted member of Long Leaf Baptist Church. She loved her church and especially loved helping in the kitchen preparing the Wednesday night meals. After a career of raising all her children she began a new career as a tax preparer for H & R Black for many years.

She is survived by her children, Travis Blackburn, Glenda Willard, Donna Horrell, and Judy Tchouros and her husband, Billy, and special daughter-in-law, Susan Blackburn. She was especially proud of all her grandchildren, Allison & Rob Collins, Wesley and Marion Horrell, Wendy and Lisa Willard, Brad and Alex Tchouros, and Kaitlyn Blackburn. What really put a sparkle in her eyes was being Great-Granny to Bryar and Brianna Horrell, Abigael and Sean Collins, and Terry Lucas. Also surviving are brothers, Linwood Stephenson, Terry Stephenson, and Phillip Stephenson along with many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2012 at Long Leaf Baptist Church with Rev. Eugene Ridley officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

The staff at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Service is honored to the family of Elender Blackburn.