Loretta Mays Blackburn passed from labor into reward on Saturday, December 15, 2012, when God dispatched an angel and called our beloved home. She was born June 22, 1931 in Harlan County, KY to Lloyd Francis and Mary Ethel Mays. She was a 1950 graduate of Lincoln School, the historic colored school, Middlesboro, KY. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, Frank “Jeff” Blackburn, and loving daughter, Gloria Newell, her sister Thelma Williams, and brothers: Cecil, Oscar and Jim. At an early age, she professed Christ as her Savior, and was a faithful member of Mount Moriah Baptist church where she once serviced as a member of the Matron’s Chorus and Circle No. 3.

Left to cherish her memory is her devoted daughter and companion, Frances Blackburn, Middlesboro, KY; a son-in-law, garland Newell; two granddaughters: Nicole and Erin Newell, Jellico, TN; sisters: Marcella Davis, Wichita, KS and Dorothy Ferguson, Barbourville, KY; brother-in-law, Richard (Alberta) Blackburn, Middlesboro, KY; sisters-in-law: Bernice McCullough, Louisville, KY and Delphine Blackburn, Columbus, OH; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Friday, December 21, 2012 at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church with Rev. James Chesney officiating. Music will be provided by Mt. Moriah Choir. Pallbearers and Flower Girls will be friends of the family. Burial will be in Lynch Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Thursday, December 20, 2012 at Shumate Funeral Home Chapel.

Shumate Funeral Home is entrusted with all arrangements.

Guestbook at www.shumatefuneralhome.com