Shirley Sue Blackburn

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Shirley Sue Blackwell Blackburn, 82, of Abilene went home to her Lord on April 25, 2019 here in Abilene. Funeral services and burial will be held on Saturday, May 4 at 1 pm at Elmwood Memorial Park with Pastor Emeritus David Cason of Broadview Baptist Church and close friend Nadell Mangum of First Baptist, jointly officiating. Grandson Zach Harmon will provide music. Shirley was born in Ranger, Texas to J.G. and Eva Blackwell on January 9, 1937. She grew up and went to school in Sundown, Texas. She graduated from Sundown High School and graduated from Hardin-Simmons University's Mary Meek School of Nursing in 1957. She also married Donald Adam Blackburn September 29, 1956 in Abilene. Shirley worked as a registered nurse for the Taylor County Health Department for 30 years before retiring. She came out of retirement to continue serving others by working for Dr. Laura Barber for 13 years. She loved being a nurse and caring for others. She attended Broadview Baptist Church and Faith Senior Adult Bible Study. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, J.G. and Eva, her husband Donald and her brother Rodney. Shirley is survived by her four children, David Blackburn and his wife Anne of Owl Creek, Texas, Deborah Harmon of Abilene, Texas, Jeff Blackburn and his wife Darby of Round Rock, Texas, Kristi Brewster and her husband Tom of Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is also survived by sister Judy Harrison of Potosi, Texas. Loved by 12 grandchildren are: Marc Harmon, Keri Grady, Matt Harmon, Sarah Sgaglione, Zach Harmon, Stephanie Johnson, Avery Blackburn, Kimberly Blackburn, Andrew Slate, Adam Slate, Mallory Blackburn and Emery Blackburn. In addition, Shirley was blessed with 4 great-grandchildren: Kendall White, Kayden Grady, Tyler Sgaglione, Jack Harmon and two more babies on the way. Pallbearers will be David Blackburn, Jeff Blackburn, Marc Harmon, Matt Harmon, Zach Harmon and Jacob Grady. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure or to the Hardin-Simmons University School of Nursing. (www.hsutx.edu.) Click on "Give" in upper right corner. On next page, choose "Designation Annual Scholarship." Shirley's name will appear as a selection.