Pat "Papper" Blackford

Pat "Papper" Blackford, 67, of Dysartsville Road, Morganton, NC, went to go to scooter-pootin’ with Mary Jo on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at Grace Hospital. Born in Urbana, IL on March 17, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Richard Blackford, Sr. and Louise Kelly Lantz. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her friend, Mary Jo Denton. In the late 80s Papper was manager of the Rite Aid Drug Store in Morganton. In 1993, she became a correctional officer with Foothills Correctional Institution and worked there until her retirement in 2003.She is survived by her daughter, Danelle "Dani" Blackford of Morganton; a granddaughter, Shaddoe Blackford of Morganton; brothers, Richard Blackford, Jr. and wife, Linda, of Phoenix, AR, and David Lantz and wife, Joanie, of Tolono, IL; sisters, Barbara McGraw and husband, Raymond, and Becky Wheatley and husband, Richard, all of Urbana, IL; many nieces and nephews; her extended family from Foothills Correctional Institution.A gathering of family and friends will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at Sossoman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.