MARION — Franklin Davis Blackburn, 71, of Marion, passed away Monday, November 26th, at Crittenden Health Systems.

Mr. Blackburn was a licensed funeral director and embalmer for fifty years, a veteran of the United States Army and a member of Gideons International.

He was a member and deacon of Marion Baptist Church and a member of Bigham Lodge #256 F&AM.

He is survived by his wife, Glenda Blackburn of Marion, Ky.; a son, Todd (Stacy) Blackburn of Henderson, Ky.; a daughter, Krista (Wade) Berry of Marion, Ky.; a sister, Virginia Hopkins of Marion, Ill.; two grandsons, Alex and Lucas Blackburn, both of Henderson, Ky.; and two granddaughters, Lauren and Hannah Berry, both of Marion, Ky.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jeff Davis and Beulah Cecil Donovan Blackburn, and a sister, Janet Morgan.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at Marion Baptist Church with burial in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Clay, Ky. Mr. Blackburn will lie in state at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday. Visitation will be held at the Myers Funeral Home in Marion, Ky., Wednesday beginning at 3 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Relay for Life 3140 Parisa Drive, Paducah, KY 42003; Gideons International P.O. Box 304, Salem, KY 42078; or Marion Baptist Family Life Center, 131 E. Depot St., Marion, KY 42064.