Betty Ruth Bunker Blackmon

Betty Ruth Bunker Blackmon, 91, of Mount Airy, passed away Sunday, March 26, 2023, at Northern Regional Hospital.  She was born June 8, 1931, in Surry County, the daughter of the late Albert and Emma Gambill Bunker.  Betty was always dedicated to helping others.  She was always ready to help a friend in need, bringing a meal when someone’s ill, or just stopping by to lend a helping hand to someone having a difficult time.  Betty was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Mount Airy, where she was a proud member of the Rebekah Sunday School Class, and a proud member of the Surry Arts Council.  For many years, she volunteered at Northern Regional Hospital and received the “Extra Mile” award for her unselfish service and recognized for being a “Lifetime Volunteer,”  The Mount Airy Jaycees named her an Outstanding Senior Citizen, and she was a member of the Mount Airy Chapter #18 Order of the Eastern Star for over 40 years.  She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and was quoted in a recent article about her life, “My family and friends are my life, they mean everything to me.”  Surviving are her daughters and sons-in-law, Tanya and Hobart Jones and Deidre and Mark Rogers; her son and daughter-in-law, Zack and Sherry Blackmon; her grandchildren, Dr. Richard Jackson, II and Dr. Jennifer Jackson, Jennifer Jackson, Zach Jackson and Jennifer, Erin Haymore and Daniel, Zack Worrell Blackmon, III and Ashley, Albert Montgomery Blackmon, Jr. and Rachel, Dustin Rogers and Britni, and Deyton Gough and Chase; her great-grandchildren, Ryan and Skyler Weber, Parker and Cooper Jackson, Emilynn and Davis Haymore, Makenzie and Bryce Blackmon, Kenedi Blaire, Hudson, Kenston, and Wyatt Rogers, Baylor and Grayson Gough, and Albie and Ruby Grace Blackmon. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Blackmon was preceded in death by her son, Albert Montgomery Blackmon; her great grandsons, Tyson Rogers and Henry Blackmon; and the father of her children, Zack W. Blackmon, Sr. The funeral service will be held Thursday March 30, 2023, at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Jay Meadows officiating.  Interment will follow at Skyline Memory Gardens.  The family will visit with friends and family on Thursday morning from 9:00 until 11:00 AM in the Fireside Room at First Baptist Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Surry Arts Council Capital Fund, P.O. Box 141, Mount Airy, NC  27030; or First Baptist Church, 714 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC  27030.  The family wishes to thank the entire staff of Ridgecrest Retirement Community for the love and care given to Betty during her time there and Ben Currin, who was an extra special friend.  Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Moody Funeral Services of Mount Airy.