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Patricia "Pat" Blackburn, 81-years-young, ran to Jesus on April 16, 2026, peacefully and surrounded by family. Born October 14, 1944, in Antlers, OK, Pat became the oldest child to AD and Faye Harkey and the only and best sister to Larry, Chris, and Todd Harkey.
In March 1961, Pat married her forever sweetheart, husband of 65 years, Joe Blackburn. They'd met first in a schoolhouse in Pleasant Hill but reconnected many years later at a dance. Joe was smitten by Pat's once in-a-generation beauty. Joe's siblings say he used to sit outside with his guitar and daydream of the girl he loved. Naturally, she became his wife and later they welcomed their daughter, also Pat's best friend, into this life: Deborah "Debbie" Mills. Pat could always see the gold in everyone else and Debbie could always see the gold in Pat. They were a true gift to each other as mother and daughter.
Although there were short stints of living in Broken Bow and Dallas, Pat and Joe built their forever life at Joe's home place in the LoneOak area, where Pat remained until her final days, with grandchildren and great-grandchildren as her closest neighbors. Taking up residence here for many years, Pat quickly became the forever favorite of countless nephews and nieces and later great-nieces and great-nephews and all the relatives-in-law that would come and go in the family.
In her earlier years, Pat was not only known for her remarkable beauty, but for her passion, zeal, creativity, unmatched fun, fierce love for others, undying love for her animals, and her very big heart. Pat's infamous wig, along for her great journey, is also a part of many core memories.
In her latter years, despite cognitive decline, her love for Joe, Debbie, and other loved ones, including her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews that were also like her own grandchildren, as well as her deep love for her pets, never declined.
Pat worked as a runway model in Dallas, TX, and also gave many years working at the Lake Texoma Lodge. Her greatest accomplishment would have to be that she raised her daughter, Debbie, to know and understand wholly how valued and loved she is in this life, which helped Debbie to understand God's unconditional love and to trust in Him. It impacted Debbie in such a way that she's been able to pass that same sense of love and security on to her own children and many others.
Another extraordinary accomplishment includes the thousands of people whose days and lives she would brighten by telling them, "You are so beautiful." In recent years, there was rarely a person who encountered Pat who did not hear those sincere words of affirmation. Anyone who came into contact with Pat would quickly know they were so beautiful, so handsome or so smart. This brightened the countenance of many even in her final days. She was known as a top fan and cheerleader of many of her dearest ones.
As Pat neared the end of her race, Debbie told her, "If you see Jesus, run to Him"
To which Pat replied, "Yes! I KNOW JESUS LOVES ME!"
Pat left this life for eternity having given much love, known much love, and most importantly, confident in the love of Jesus toward her.
Waiting in heaven for Pat are her son, Bob Jack Blackburn, parents, AD and Faye Harkey, and nephew, Richard Harkey, as well as countless others from her beloved Blackburn family. She is preceded in death by many animals she adored including Ruff, Gizmo, Lucy, Buster, Sweetie, Corky, Spot, Pete the Pig, Fancy the Horse, and Gordy the Goat.
Waiting to join Pat in Heaven someday are her husband Joe Blackburn of the home in Durant, OK, her daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and "Doc" Boyd Mills of Caddo, OK, her grandchildren and their spouses: Paige Scott and Justin Scott of Durant, OK, Ty Booth and Elizabeth Booth of Durant, OK, Dayton Booth and Olivia Booth of Newport, RI Chisolm Booth of Durant, OK, and Amber McIntyre and Donald McIntyre of McKinney, TX; her 13 great-grandchildren: Lindsay, Liam, Foster, Amayah, Nolan, Emmett, Blakelyn, Lillian, Kymbre, Kendrick, Oaks, Moxie and Nova.
Pat fought the fight. She finished her race. She kept a childlike faith.
A visitation for Pat will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 6:00 P.M.- 8:00 P.M. at Brown's Funeral Service chapel.
A funeral service for Pat will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. at Brown's Funeral Service chapel with Anthony Williams officiating and Russell Harkey, Shane Harkey, Michael Harkey, Kevin Blackburn, Jay Blackburn, and William Smith serving as pallbearers.
Burial will take place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Armstrong, Oklahoma following the funeral service.
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