Doris Jean Blackburn, age 84 years, a resident of Elkins, passed away June 14, 2012. She was born May 3, 1928 at Clarksburg, a daughter of the late Dallas and Elsie Kennedy Cornell. Surviving is one son, J.D. Blackburn and wife Janice of Beverly, three daughters, Patricia Farmer and husband John of Sanford, NC, Marcia Blackburn of Morgantown and Dana Blackburn of Fort Lauderdale, FL. Also surviving is one grandson, James D. Blackburn and fiancée, Elizabeth Ash of Beverly, two great-grandchildren, Lydia Faith Blackburn and Jace Dean Blackburn and one sister, Carolyn Hardman of Clarksburg. Doris was a graduate of Washington Irving High School and moved to Elkins in 1959. She retired in 1990 from the Elkins Y.M.C.A. after 15 years of service, which included one year as Executive Manager. She was the first woman President of the Board of Trustees for the Elkins Y.M.C.A. Doris had been very involved in numerous organizations over the years including the following: Treasurer of the Women’s Society, President of the Third Ward P.T.A., Treasurer of College Aid, President of the Davis Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, a member of the Women’s Club of Elkins, and Chairman of the Holly Ball and the Distinguished Guest Dinner of the Mountain State Forest Festival for several years. Sewing was her passion and she loved to sew blankets, purses and numerous projects for family, friends and charitable organizations. Doris was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Elkins and the Julia Bonafield Circle of the church.
Friends may call on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at the Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 noon, the funeral hour. Rev. Dr. Basil A. Hensley will officiate. Doris’ request for cremation will be honored. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to one of the following charitable organizations, Operation Christmas Child, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC, 28607; Women’s Aid in Crisis, P.O. Box 2062, Elkins, WV 26241 and the Women’s Auxiliary of the Davis Memorial Hospital, P.O. Box 1697, Elkins, WV 26241. The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Doris Jean Blackburn.
