Janice Blackburn

Janice Young Blackburn, 80, of Knoxville, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at The Waters of Maryville in Maryville, Tennessee.

Jan was born at home on April 25, 1946, in Varney, Kentucky, to Earsel Young and Ethel Webb Young. She married Benjamin "Ben” P. Blackburn in November 1995, and they shared 23 years of marriage before his passing in September 2018.

Jan spent much of her life as the proud owner of Jan’s Cleaning Service. Throughout her life, she touched the hearts of countless people and made a lasting impact on everyone she met. She will be fondly remembered for her warm heart, her kindness, and her special ability to make everyone feel like family.

Jan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ben Blackburn; her parents, Earsel and Ethel Young; her siblings, Ruby Young, Kim Koehler, Conder Young, Harold "Kip" Young, and Linda Young; her children, Darrel “Enjun” Williams, Jr. and Willie Gay; and her late husbands, Darrel Williams, Sr. and Millard Gay.

She is survived by her siblings, Jettie Williams, Jean Ward, and Darel Young; her children, Stephanie Stephens, Tonya Blackburn Hutchinson, Paula Blackburn Duncan, and Mike Gay; her grandchildren, Nicole Williams, Danae Faulk, Justin Gay, Carmen Kelly, McKenzie Hartzog, Austin Stephens, Janalyn Harter, Gracie Hutchinson, Victoria Bryan, Melissa Rosendahl, and Bobby Duncan; and numerous great-grandchildren whom she loved dearly.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Monday, October 26, 2026, at James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel. Interment will follow at Williams Family Cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home directing.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel.