Jane T. Blackburn

OXFORD -Thalia Jane Tillman Blackburn died peacefully on July 25, 2026 in Whitmore Retirement Center in Oxford, North Carolina. She was ninety-seven years old. Jane was born in Lake Wales, Florida, the daughter of Rollie Tillman, Sr. and Louise Johnson Tillman. 

Jane spent her childhood and youth in Lake Wales, which was founded by her grandparents, amid a close and numerous family. Several of her cousins were related to her through both her father and mother. She attended Florida State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority.

Jane was married to Charles F. Blackburn, Sr. for sixty-three years until his death in 2013. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents and by her only sibling, Rollie Tillman, Jr.

Jane managed and operated Blackburn’s Dress Shop in Henderson with her sister-in-law Marjoree Blackburn for a number of years. She was an avid gardener and tennis player, an accomplished and creative cook, loved mystery novels, and was devoted to her family and her church. Having enjoyed a wonderful childhood herself, Jane made it her purpose to make childhood a great adventure for her son and nieces and nephews, and her granddaughter and their friends.

Jane is survived by her only child, Charles F. Blackburn, Jr., his wife Marsha and their daughter Katherine; by her niece and nephews Anne Blackburn Almand, George T. Blackburn, II and Robert Jackson Blackburn; by her nieces and nephew Windy Tillman Pratt and husband Michael, Jane Tillman, Rollie Tillman III and wife Melissa; and by the children of her niece and nephews.

The family extends their special thanks to Jane’s caregivers Rose Marrow, Shan Williams and Carolyn Jones and to the staff of Whitmore Retirement Center for their years of devoted care for Jane.

A private service will be held for Jane, officiated by her niece Jane Tillman.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 118 Church Street, Henderson, N. C. 27536.