Margaret Gail Blackburn passed away on October 5, 2024, eighty nine years after her birth in Baldwin, NC. In between Gail touched and enhanced the lives of her family, friends, and everyone she met along the way.

After graduating from Beaver Creek High School Gail married Jackie Blackburn beginning a loving five decade partnership. She worked as a medical transcriptionist for Dr. Elam Kurtz as well as a second career volunteering with numerous organizations serving her neighbors and community.

As a faithful member of Mt. Jefferson Presbyterian Church Gail served as an Elder, sang in the choir and served on various committees. She gave her time to both the elderly in assisted living and the young in the church’s Kids Club. She served on the boards of several organizations including Ashe Services for the Aging, Ashe Department of Social Services, and Ashe County Group Homes.

Other beloved Ashe County organizations benefiting from Gail’s seemingly endless energy included the Civic Center, Humane Society, Mental Health Association, the Chamber of Commerce, Little Theatre, and The Sharing Center. Understandably, she was Senior Volunteer of the year in 2008.

One of Gail’s proudest accomplishments was working with Jackie and various medical professionals to procure prosthetic legs for an under privileged gentleman they met during their charity work in Jamacia. She described the day he strapped on his new legs and walked for the first time in 25 years as a highlight of her life.

Somehow Gail managed to carve out at least a little leisure time during which she enjoyed reading, walking, shopping (not to be confused with buying) and eating Jackie’s gourmet meals which she paid for with clean up duties. Many hungry hummingbirds and itinerant dogs and cats join us in our mourning.

Gail’s family included her parents James and Margaret Edwards, her brothers Jimmie and infant Ford, sisters Pauline, Lucille, Anne, and Billie along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Gail is survived by daughter Sherry and her husband Roger of Lewisville along with grandson Jason and his wife Sarah of Brooklyn. They will receive friends and family from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on October 19 at Boone Family Funeral Home. A celebration of Gail’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on October 20 at Mt. Jefferson Presbyterian Church. Livestream link is at www.mjpc.org

Memorials to the Helene Relief Fund at Mt. Jefferson Presbyterian Church, PO Box 782, West Jefferson, NC 28694 would be much appreciated by Gail.