Ciera Morgan Blackburn

Ciera Morgan Blackburn was an amazing soul born on June 4, 1992, to Mike and Sherri Blackburn of Maryville, TN, and loving sister to Austin. Through over six years of battling cancer, on Monday, October 26, 2015, at 6:02pm at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where she was treated through her long journey, Ciera earned her wings and her body was restored to complete and total health once again. Ciera was a member of the Sevier Heights Baptist Church, and as a 2010 graduate of Maryville High School, went on to study Biochemistry at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Pellissippi State Community College where she planned to eventually become a pediatric oncologist. Ciera was a young lady like none other: a beautiful daughter with an iron will, a loving sister, and caring granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend; a lover of all things outdoors, in particular rock climbing, snowboarding, hiking, and kayaking; an avid sports fan, including UT football … Go Vols! … and watching her younger brother play rugby, wrestling, and football, as well as spending time golfing with her beloved father and grandfather and being active in sports herself; a traveler who had a true romance with Paris, loved spending time at Hilton Head with her family at the beach, and one that was up for an adventure whenever the opportunity allowed; and she was an amazing artist who particularly loved all things Disney, helping to inspire her creative side. At the foundation of all of this, however, Ciera was also a deeply faithful young lady that drew years of strength with the Lord firmly by her side to fight against the beast called cancer not one or two, but three times; and did she put up a heck of a fight and won each time! But the effects of cancer that eventually took her beautiful life was and is never anything that will define her, but rather her spunk and true courage, sweet southern drawl and easy smile, the sparkle in her beautiful blue eyes and easy laugh, and her sass and radiating love for all people. Although Ciera was taken home to be with God for all eternity, healed of all of her ailments and restored to complete health again, she will forever and always be remembered deeply by those that knew her and loved her as a blinding soul that loved with her whole heart. She never complained about her health or circumstance and lived and breathed one of her favorite bible verses, "I can do all this through Him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)." And without even realizing it, she pushed those around her to be the best that they can be through her love and encouragement. Ciera Blackburn touched many lives throughout her short 23 years here on earth, each being better for having known her and loved her, including her family, friends, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital nurses and doctors, and fellow St. Jude heroes and their families. Ciera, we long to see what you see, to behold the face of our Lord Jesus and to touch the hand of God like you have the honor of now doing. Your Father called you Home and you heard the words, “Well Done my Precious Child.” So, we weep and grieve your loss, but we also trust, we hope and, most importantly, we celebrate your life and the joy you brought to each of us. Preceded in death by: Grandfather, Mike Cable; Uncle, Russell Lawrence. Survivors include: Parents, Sherri & Mike Blackburn; Brother, Austin Blackburn; Grandparents, Joe & Nina Blackburn; aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of many St. Jude friends; her dog, Bentley. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 31, 2015 at Sevier Heights Baptist Church. Interment will be follow at Grandview Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial & Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 31, 2015 at Sevier Heights Baptist Church. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ciera Morgan Blackburn please visit our Sympathy Store.