Joseph G. "Pinky" Blackburn

Joseph G. “Pinky” Blackburn, 93, of Cleveland, TN passed away on August 14, 2021. Pinky was born in a farmhouse in rural Bradley County, along with his six brothers and one sister. He lost his father at a very young age. He was the 7th of the 8 children born to Jesse C. Blackburn & Stella M. Blackburn. He and four of his brothers served in the United States Military for a combined 100+ years. He served in the United States Navy from 1945-1949 on the USS Fulton in 1945, where he was present at Bikini Atoll for the atomic bomb testing in 1946, on the USS Bushnell in 1947, and on the USS Coucal from 1948-1949 where he was a part of a 33,000 world cruise. Pinky was a deep sea diver and honorably discharged in August of 1949. Pinky retired as a Regimental Command Sergeant Major from the US Tennessee Army National Guard after 30 years of service. He has also been a faithful member of the American Legion Post 81 Bradley County Veterans Funeral Honor Guard and Firing Squad from 1993-2016.

He worked for Central of Georgia Railroad in Atlanta from 1950-1953 where he worked as a fireman on switch engines then hostler as engineer between Atlanta and East Point. He also worked with the Dupont Corporation and ultimately retired from the United States Postal Service as a Route Supervisor.

Pinky enjoyed fishing, hunting, and watching football and baseball. He enjoyed filming the Cleveland High School Blue Raiders Football team from the program’s inception in 1966 until the early 1980s. He filmed for Coach Bobby Scott, Coach Ronnie Weir and Coach Benny Monroe. He enjoyed coaching youth football at the Boys Club and coaching baseball at Fulbright Park in the 1970s. Pinky was a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church for over 50 years. He loved his Asbury Sunday School Class.

He is preceded in death by his father Jesse C. Blackburn, mother Stella M. Blackburn, brothers: JC Blackburn, JR Blackburn, Johnny Blackburn, J. Edwin Blackburn, Jack Blackburn, and J. Walter Blackburn, sister Jane B. Goins; wives Wilma H. Blackburn (1958) and JoAnne Blackburn (2019).

He is survived by his children: Malinda Blackburn, Joey Blackburn, John (Robin) Blackburn, and Jeff Blackburn (Jema Day); grandchildren: Joshua (Angela) Blackburn and Jarrett Blackburn; sister in law Peggy Blackburn, special cousins: Jess and Wanda Green and many nieces, nephews, and several cousins.

A celebration of Pinky’s life will be held at 7pm on Thursday August 19, 2021 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Ramon Torres officiating. His family will receive friends from 5pm until the 7pm service. He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Chattanooga National Cemetery at 10:30am on Friday August 20th.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Legion Post 81, Bradley County Veterans Funeral Honor Guard and Firing Squad 277, James Asburn Dr NW, Cleveland, TN 37312.

Companion Funeral Home is honored to assist the Blackburn family with these arrangements.