Robert R. Blackburn

Asheville - Robert Rankin Blackburn, 84, died unexpectedly Wednesday June 25, 2008. A native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII serving in the South Pacific. He was a son of the late Rankin and Ada Blackburn and the husband of the late Clara Owenby Blackburn. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Kate Evans and Dorothy Ware. Surviving are his niece, Carolyn Knox of Franklin, TN; nephews, Wilson Evans of San Antonio, TX, Marty Evans of Chicago, IL, Bruce Ware of Florida, John Ware of Manassas, VA and Gregory Ware of Virginia; 9 great nieces and nephews and 12 great great nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday at Green Hills Cemetery with the Rev. Jerry Wilson officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 P.M. Saturday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home.