Rufus Clinton (R.C.) Blackburn, 78, passed from this life on Friday, March 11, 2011, with his devoted family at his side.

Formerly of Flatwoods, Ky. he was a resident of South Point, Ohio, for the past 13 years. He was born in Pike County, Ky., a son of the late Willard and Luna Blackburn. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 21 years, Martha Lee Stanley Blackburn.

Also preceding him were five brothers, Luther, Walter, Tracy, Edgel and Arthur Blackburn; and four sisters, Lula V Blackburn, Mae Fern Fowler, Goldena Thacker and Belvadora Smith.

Mr. Blackburn was a U.S. Army veteran during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge he owned and operated Blackburn’s Grocery at the age of 21. This was followed by ownership of Kings Restaurant and Blackburn’s Used Cars in Williamson, W.Va. He retired as a regional sales manager in 1978 from Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. He was a member of Solida Baptist Church, a member of the Masonic Temple No. 890 in Stone, Ky. and an avid outdoorsman and hunter.

He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Sandra McSweeney Blackburn; his children, Daryl Blackburn and wife Sam of Lawrenceburg, Ky., Diane Pennington and husband Curt of Cannonsburg, Ky., Kimberly Goad and husband, David of Charleston, S. C. and Melissa Musick and husband, Stewart of San Diego, Calif.; and two very special friends, Danny Akers of Matewan, W.Va. and Randy Akers of Huntington, W.Va., who were like sons to him. Also surviving are his sisters, Beatrice Thacker, Lois Thacker and Alfreda Stollings; beloved grandchildren, Seth Roark, Jessi Blackburn, Sara Pennington Damron (Heath), Amanda Blackburn, Brittany Stewart Sharkasi (Adam), Ashley Musick, Emily Musick and Alley Musick.

He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather whose family believed there wasn’t anything that he couldn’t do. He will be sadly missed and forever remembered by those whose lives he touched so deeply.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, at Schneider-Griffin Funeral Home, Chesapeake, with Pastor Aaron Childers officiating. Burial will follow in Coeburn Point Cemetery, Huddy, Ky., at 2:30 p.m. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.schneidergriffin.com.