HOMER “BUDDY” BLACKBURN, 74 years of age of the Paw Paw section of Hurley, VA, passed away Thursday, April 14, 2011 at the Pikeville Medical Center following a brief illness. Born July 28, 1936, in Ira, VA, Mr. Blackburn was the son of the late Joseph H. Blackburn Sr. and Mattie Vanover Blackburn Dotson. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was of the Christian Faith. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and was a retired Coal Miner.

Mr. Blackburn is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 55-years: Helen Blackburn, Hurley, VA, 3-Daughters: Catherine Marie Hall and husband Terry, Hurley, VA, Carol Lynne Rife and husband Andrew, Vansant, VA, Mary Helen Blackburn, Bristol, VA, 1-Son: Mark Homer Blackburn and wife Joetta, Pounding Mill, VA, 1-Sister: Beatrice Atkinson Rife and husband Harold, Abingdon, VA

Also, survived by 6-Grandchildren: Brandon Hall and wife Megan, Ashley Prater and husband Keith, Christopher Rife, Brittany Hall, Mark Aaron Blackburn and Jonathan Rife; 1-Step-Granddaughter: Heather Whalen; 2-Great-Grandchildren: Abigail Reese and Gavin Reed Prater; several Nieces, Nephews, Family and Friends.

He was preceded in death by 1-Son: Michael John Blackburn, 2-Brothers: Roger Lee Blackburn and Joseph H. Blackburn, Jr. and 1-Brother-in-Law: John Atkinson.

Funeral Services for HOMER “BUDDY” BLACKBURN will be conducted Monday, April 18, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evg. Mike Rife, Ministers: Wilburn Dotson and Donnie Prater officiating with entombment to follow in the Mountain Rest Mausoleum, Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, VA.

Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Sunday evening at 6:00 P.M. with services at 7:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be Brandon Hall, Christopher Rife, Mark Aaron Blackburn, Jonathan Rife, Terry Hall, Andrew Rife, Tim Honaker and Keith Prater.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. LaDonna Osborne, Dr. Mario Stefanini, Dr. Lawrence Bender, Dr. Jose Piriz and Staff of the Pikeville Medical Center.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Virginia is in charge of all arrangements.