Joseph Adrus Blackburn

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, …..Psalm 23:4 KJV

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 500 Weems Street, Picayune, MS 39466, with visitation at 10 a.m. Interment will be in the New Palestine Cemetery, 2500 Palestine Road, Picayune, MS 39466. Repast will follow at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Rev. Wyman Gaulden will officiate at the services assisted by Rev. Fred Dillon.

Joseph Adrus Blackburn “Jody” was born on July 14, 1964, the youngest of four children, to the union of Norvel Blackburn and Shirley Dyson Blackburn of Baton Rouge, LA. He accepted Christ at an early age and entered into his eternal rest on January 28, 2026.

Joseph worked as a truck driver for over 30 years and became owner operator in 2018. He was employed with Heniff Transportation for the last 14 years. His motto was “Making a Buck with a Truck”, and he surnamed his truck “New Kid on the Block”. Jody enjoyed listening to music, working on his Ranchero cars, and spending time with family and friends; always ending his phone conversations with “One”.

Joseph was blessed to be united in marriage to his childhood sweetheart Ophelia Cummings on May 30, 2019, blending two lives into one union of faith, love, and family. And upon residing in Picayune, MS he began in fellowship of Christ at Open Bible Holiness Church.

On Wednesday, January 28, 2026 God sent his angel to bring him home at the age of 61.

He is survived by his loving wife Ophelia Blackburn of Picayune, MS. Though he has no children of his own, he embraced many throughout his life including Ebony, Anthony, Laclair, Shunta, Rydell, Roger, Quana, and Ivory plus a host of grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister Rena Fleming of Dumfries, Virginia; brothers Norvel Blackburn Jr of Port Allen, Louisiana and Keith Blackburn of Zachary, Louisiana; God daughter Jeloni Fleming of Dumfries, Virginia; Aunt Carolyn Stewart of New Orleans, Louisiana; Aunt Beverly Ann Hebert of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Sister-in-law Eloise Wheelock of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was proceeded in death by his parents Norvel and Shirley Blackburn and Sister-in-law Cynthia Blackburn. He leaves to cherish his memories a devoted wife, children, brothers and sisters, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends James Briggs, Mike Jones, Eddie Greenup, Dudley Cockerham, and Anthony Payne.