Catherine (Blackburn) Virginia Oaks
Catherine Virginia (Blackburn) Oaks Catherine Oaks, 88, was received into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father at 9:38 a.m. Sunday, August 23, 2009. Our loss is definitely Heaven’s gain. Catherine was one of seven children, born November 10, 1920, in Linn County, Missouri, to William Harrison Blackburn and Eunice Lavin (Bales) Blackburn. In her school days, Catherine was a forward for the ladies basketball team for 9 years. Jesus became her Lord and Savior in 1951 in Tustin, Calif., and she faithfully served him the rest of her days. She and her husband, Wilson, worked at Irvine Ranch for 15 1/2 years, then moved back to Missouri in 1965, living in Purdin, where Wilson did carpentry work and Catherine worked at Whittaker Cable Company in Brookfield. Catherine moved to Willard Retirement Village and began attending First Baptist Church in 1992. She took up line dancing for exercise and for her enjoyment and performed with the dance troupe in nursing homes for many years. She made many friends in her ventures and they will all miss her terribly. Catherine was preceded in death by her wonderful husband, William Wilson Oaks, who passed away May 30, 1991. Also preceding her in death were her parents and her brothers, Max, Rex, Harry and Myrle Blackburn. Survivors include two sisters, Helen Harmon, Brookfield, Missouri, and Mary Ellen Sproul, Smithville, Mo. Also surviving are Catherine’s daughter, Linda Schyma; her grandson, Rodney Joseph Schyma; granddaughter, Deborah Kay Schyma; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends. A visitation will be in Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Tuesday, August 25, 2009 from 7 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, 2009 in the First Baptist Church in Willard. A graveside service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, in Purdin Cemetery, Purdin, Missouri. Where she will be buried by her husband of 50 years. Memorial contributions may be made to the Family Violence Center.