Dr. Billie Olen Blackburn

Dr. Billie Olen Blackburn departed this life on Friday, September 12, 2025. He was born February 18, 1934, in Limestone County, Alabama, the eleventh child of Monroe Sublett Blackburn and Winnie Lou Halbrooks Blackburn. He graduated from Athens (AL) High School, received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University in Auburn, AL, and did post-graduate work at Iowa State University in Ames, IA. He was part of the ROTC program at Auburn, and after graduation worked briefly for the USDA in Tennessee before receiving his commission in the Air Force. He was posted to Nellis Air Force Base outside of Las Vegas, NV, later serving overseas. While in the service, Billie met and married Angeline (Angie) Armbruster of Bay County, MI. He and Angie raised a daughter and a son, later welcoming a daughter-in-law and grandchildren into the family. Billie and Angie made their home in Norfolk, England; Chaumont, France; Columbia, TN, and Ames, IA, before moving to Athens, AL in 1989 after Billie’s retirement as associate director of the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames. Wherever he lived, Billie was deeply involved at his church, teaching classes and serving as a deacon. He lived a life of ministry to others because he loved the LORD and he loved people. He was preceded in death by his wife Angie, and brothers and sisters Jessie Blackburn, Naola Bailey, Jaque Bailey, Eula Butalla, Reuben Blackburn, Freeda McCulloch, Doris Blackburn, David Blackburn, Ruth Blackburn, Donald Blackburn, and Tootsie Gooch. Billie is survived by his daughter Melanie Blackburn of Athens; son Corey Blackburn and wife Joanna of Heath, TX; grandchildren Jonathan Blackburn of Addison, TX; Katherine Blackburn of Charleston, SC; and Ian Blackburn of Heath, TX; and many nieces and nephews. Limestone Chapel Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visitation will be Friday, September 19, from 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. at Sardis Springs Baptist Church, 18310 AL Hwy 251, Athens. The Celebration of Life service will follow at 1 p.m. with Jeff Oates officiating. Pallbearers will be grandsons Jonathan Blackburn and Ian Blackburn and grand- and great-grand nephews Charles Deffenbaugh, Samuel Evans, Jacob Jones, and Tim Spidel. Burial will be in Sardis Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. If you wish to do something in Billie’s memory, the family suggests you contribute to a Christian ministry. Among the ministries that he supported are Sardis Springs Baptist Church (ssbcathens.org), the Navigators (navigators.org), and Gideons International (gideons.org).

Dr. Billie Olen Blackburn

February 18, 1934 - September 12, 2025