Mrs. Sherry Dawn Hassell Blackburn, age 47, a resident of Washington, died Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at Duke University Hospital in Durham.

A memorial service will be held 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2016 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington, officiated by Keith Tankard. The family will receive friends following the service until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and other times at the home of Sherry’s brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Robert and Frances Wilkins, located at 144 Hubs Rec Road, Belhaven.

Sherry was born in Germany on January 13, 1969, daughter of Charles McCoy Hassell and Peggy Ann Cutler Hassell. She was a 1987 graduate of John A. Wilkinson High School and continued her education, receiving an associate degree in business from Campbell University. On August 6, 1988 she married Ricky Bayard Blackburn who survives. Later Sherry attended Beaufort County Community College where she received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She currently worked for Vidant Medical at the East Carolina Heart Institute. Sherry was a very respected registered nurse who truly cared for her patients. She was a member of Wilkinson Church of Christ.

Surviving along with her husband: Ricky of the home and parents: Charles and Peggy Hassell of Washington, is a son: Issaiah Colby Blackburn and wife Chelsea of Washington; a daughter: Rebecca Danielle Wilkins and husband David of Pinetops; a brother: Kevin Hassell and wife Sarah of Montgomery, TX; a sister: Karen Herren and husband Chris of Ellicott City, MD; a father-in-law: Harlen Junior Blackburn of Belhaven and two grandchildren: Allison and Aiden Wilkins.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks for memorial contributions to be made to the Reid Sasnett Scholarship Fund, 983 W. Main St., Belhaven, NC 27810 or to the Guy A. Cutler FFA Scholarship Endowment, c/o NC Agriculture Foundation, Inc., NCSU, Campus Box 7645, 512 Brickhaven Dr., Raleigh, NC 27695-7645.

Condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve Sherry’s family.