Alfred Valentine Reuben Blackburn, Sr.

school pic: Alfred is in the second row, third from the left; Alfred with son Cliff

Alfred died when his children were pretty young of a brain tumor. (or what they thought at that time)  Since it was January 2nd, the family had to take down the Christmas tree.  Beatrice still remembers that.  She also remembers that they made her look at her father in the casket even though she did not want to.  She doesn't like looking at the dead even today because of that.

The Valentine was because he was born on Valentine's Day.

Beatrice also remembers that he would make his own wine out in the coal shed.  She would get inebriated on the fumes when helping him get the bottles ready.