Orville Norris Blackburn

Mr. Orville Norris Blackburn, 73, of Statesville, passed away, Monday, February 29, 2016 at Iredell Memorial Hospital.                 Mr. Blackburn was born January 14, 1943 in Forsyth County and was the son of the late Orville E. Blackburn and Ila Bumgarner Blackburn. He was a graduate of East Wilkes County High School and on April 28, 1962, he was married to Melvina “Mel” Church Blackburn, who survives of the home. He was a member of Mountain Road Baptist Church and was retired from Marietta Bakery after 38 years of service. He loved his family, his church and playing golf.                 In addition to his wife of 53 years, he is survived by one daughter, Angela B. Welborn (Richard) of Millers Creek, NC; one son, Randy Blackburn of Statesville; five grandchildren, Jonathon, Joshua and Zachary Welborn, Thomas and Annabelle Blackburn and three brothers, Clayton Blackburn (Peggy) of Greensboro, Thomas Blackburn (Carolyn) of Kannapolis and Michael Blackburn (Jerri) of Clover, SC. He was preceded in death by one brother, Ricky Blackburn.                 Funeral services will be conducted 3:00 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2016 at Mountain Road Baptist Church with Rev. Jamie Fox officiating. Burial will follow in the Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Thursday 1:30-3:00 p.m. at the church. Active pallbearers will be Jonathan Welborn, Joshua Welborn, Zachary Welborn, Craig Blackburn and Rodney Blackburn.                 Memorials may be made to Mountain Road Baptist Church, 132 Compton Park Rd., Statesville, NC 28677 and online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Norris Blackburn.