Barbara Joanne Blackburn, 90, of Mt. Vernon passed away at Solarbron Terrace on Thursday evening, September 24, 2020.  She was born on December 3, 1929 in Booneville, the daughter of Roy O. and Rose Elizabeth “Betty” (Rhodes) Bauer.  She was married on September 10, 1950 to Robert J. Blackburn, who preceded her in death on May 14, 2018.

Joanne was a secretary at GE Plastics before her retirement.  She was a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and belonged to the Farm Bureau Golf Club.  She enjoyed golfing, reading, cooking for family and friends, and was devoted to her family.

She is survived by sons, Kirk J. (Sapna) Blackburn and Brian J. (Deann) Blackburn; niece, Linda (Werner) Munro; grandchildren, Robert A.  (Dana) Blackburn and Casey Jean Blackburn; great grandchildren, Brayton, Brenna and Brooklyn Blackburn; and grandniece, Laura (Mercer) Hazlett. She was preceded by her sister, Betty Werner and granddaughters, Rachel E. Blackburn and Chelsea Jo Blackburn.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Cemetery on Blackford Rd. with Rev. Dallas Robinson officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial donations are suggested for Niemann-Pick Type C research to the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation at nnpdf.org. Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at stendebackfamilyfuneralhome.com