Gloria Blackburn

Memorial services for Gloria Blackburn will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 6, 2007 at Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home with Mike Wilkerson officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Gloria Blackburn, age 77, of Gillette, Wyoming died at home surrounded by her family on her birthday Tuesday, October 2, 2007 of natural causes. Gloria Lee Hovis Blackburn was born in Midwest, Wyoming on October 2, 1930, the daughter of William Frank and Wilma (Hoersch) Hovis. She had two brothers and one sister. Gloria was raised and educated in Lovell, Wyoming. Gloria married Wayne Blackburn on January 24, 1947 in Lovell. Wayne and Gloria had three children together; Susan, Stephen, and Cynthia. Wayne, Gloria, and family then moved to Lance Creek, Wyoming in 1955 then on to Vernal Utah in 1957. The Blackburn family lived in Glendive, Montana then moved on to Williston, North Dakota, and ended up back in Lovell in 1969. After living in Lovell for several years, Wayne and Gloria moved to Gillette, Wyoming in 1999 to be closer to family. She was a Camplex Heritage Center ambassador and loved the Broadway shows that were performed there. Gloria was very involved in the decorating at the Camplex at Christmas time making the floral bows used for decorating. Gloria enjoyed painting and photography, both of which she became accomplished. She captured, on canvas, scenes of the Big Horn Mountain Range, a series giving tribute to the women of the west and their trials and tribulations, along with visions of oil fields with breathtaking skylines in the distance. Her photography ranged from weddings and portraits to capturing her grand-children playing. Gloria was also an accomplished cook, which made holidays not only rich in family companionship but in memories of delicious dinners and overstuffed bellies. Gloria always had a good recipe to share and was eager to give advice on cooking and healthy living. In her later years reading became a passion, which between visits from her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, occupied much of her time. Wayne and Gloria were the best of friends. She was a loving wife, friend, and companion, for over 60 years to Wayne. Their devotion to one-another was absolute and a shining example for others to follow. Gloria and her brother, Billy, remained great friends for the entirety of her life. Through their close connection to one-another, their two separate families were as one. Above all, Gloria treasured family. Whether it be painting or taking pictures, the scenes and photos were with and of her grandchildren. Gloria provided instruction and advice on life taken from her learned lessons, saving the best for her family. It was family that she most loved and shared her talents with.Gloria is survived by her husband, Wayne Blackburn of Gillette, Wyoming; children: Susan Hall of Gillette, Wyoming, Stephen (Cathy) Blackburn of Denver, Colorado and, Cynthia (Stan) Bay of Gillette, Wyoming; grandchildren: J.J. (Ellen) Bay of Palmyra, New York, Wesley (Kim) Bay of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Timothy (Mandy) Hall of Gillette, Wyoming, Anthony (Michelle) Hall of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Melissa Bay of Gainesville, Florida and, Stephen Blackburn Jr. of Denver, Colorado; and 12 great-grandchildren; brothers: William (Elaine) Hovis of Casper, Wyoming and Michael (Don) West of Lusk, Wyoming and several nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, her niece's Julie Hovis Baldwin and Jessica Hovis. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Gloria's name in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonwilson.com.