Thomas Ralph Blackburn

Thomas Ralph Blackburn, of Oxford, passed away at home on Sept. 24, 2022. He was 96.

He was the husband of Margaret “Peggy” Sumner Blackburn, with whom he shared 72 years of marriage.

Born in Oval, NC he was the son of the late Donald and Alsey Phillips Blackburn. After graduating from Oxford High School in 1944, he worked on the family dairy farm until October of 1952, when he left farming to work for Chrysler Corporation.  He was a hardworking man who retired from Chrysler in 1988 after 36 years of service.

After retirement, Ralph and Peg enjoyed traveling and visiting with their family, and especially on Bob Neff Tours, where they enjoyed meeting new people and making friends.  He looked forward to family beach vacations, and the winter trips in Florida. His hobbies included making wooden crafts and caning chairs and repairing old ones. People would travel for hours to have Ralph either fix or replace their chairs for them.

He was a member of the Oxford Church of the Nazarene since 1946 and served in many areas, including assistant Sunday School superintendent, Sunday School teacher, church board member, counting committee, and buildings and properties committee.  Through the Nazarene Church, Ralph and Peg traveled on four work and witness trips to Kenya, Switzerland, Brazil, and Belize.

He will be remembered for many things by many people. He was Dad, Uncle Ralph, and Pop-Pop.  He enjoyed attending his grandchildren and great-granddaughter’s sporting events, such as baseball games, softball games, football games, and wrestling matches.  He was a man who loved God, loved his church, and loved his family.  He will be missed by many people and by those who knew him.  He was a man of few words, with a gentle spirit, and a friend to anyone who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy; two daughters, Gayle Brantner (Bill) of Oxford and Janice Mentzer of Sharpsburg, Md.; one brother, Robert Blackburn (Martha) of Oxford; five grandchildren, Billy (Jessica) of Martinsburg, WV, Cole (Samantha) of Oxford, Sabrina Amoriello of Oxford, Jathan and Hayden Mentzer of Sharpsburg, Md.; six great-granddaughters, Layla, Savannah, Emmalyn, Natalie, Laurel, and Jolie; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, William Blackburn (JoAnn) of Oxford and his son-in-law, Heath Mentzer of Sharpsburg, Md.

Funeral services were held on Oct. 1 at the Oxford Church of the Nazarene.

Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Oxford Church of the Nazarene Missions Department.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

 Joseph Clyde Lewis

Joseph Clyde Lewis, 57, of Elkton, Md., passed away on Sept. 5, 2022 in Bryson City, NC. 

He was the husband of Julie Thompson Lewis, with whom he shared 6 years of marriage.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of Clyde Lewis of Creston, NC and the late Mary Miller Lewis.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Joseph was employed with Chelsea Sheet Metal in Avondale as an HVAC technician. 

He enjoyed motorcycles, hunting, shooting and spending time with friends and family. 

He is survived by his wife; father; two children, Asia Lewis (Eli) and Anthony Carletti; and one grandson, Liam.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Ann Marchesani.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

John W. Dougherty, Jr.

John W. Dougherty, Jr., of Lewisville, Pa., passed away at home on Sept. 29, 2022. He was 82.

He was the husband of Nancy Lutz Dougherty, with whom he shared 43 years of marriage.

Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late John W., Sr. and Elva McKinney Dougherty.

John was a farmer, builder, stone mason and farrier.

He was a Master and Huntsman of the Lewisville Hunt since the age of 16.

He is survived by his wife; three children, John W. Dougherty, III, Theresa Dougherty and Suzanne Dougherty; and two siblings, Phillip N. Dougherty of Galena, Md. and Joan Dougherty of Oxford.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Interment will be private. 

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., in Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.