Jane Blackard

Jane Twilley Blackard, 69, of Wendell, NC, passed away on December 27, 2025.

Born on June 14, 1956, to the late Billy and Mildred Twilley, Jane was the fourth of five children. She grew up surrounded by her three sisters—Susan, Diane, and Leesa—and her brother, Eddie. From an early age, Jane was known for her intelligence, kindness, and her beautiful singing voice. A proud graduate of Langley Bath Clearwater High School, she went on to study mathematics at Augusta College.

After moving to Aurora, NC, Jane began a family and worked for many years in the accounting department at Nutrien. She had two children, David and Ashley. During her time in Aurora, she was an active member of the Aurora United Methodist Church choir, enjoyed spending time on the river, and formed lasting friendships that she cherished deeply.

In 1999, Jane followed her heart and moved to Wendell, where she married Steven Blackard. With Steve, she gained a beloved stepdaughter, Stephanie, and together, they formed a close-knit family. Jane continued her career as a business analyst for Duke Energy until her retirement in 2019.

Jane’s happiest moments were spent at the beach relaxing, and spending time her family. She is survived by her loving husband, Steve; her son, David (Beth) Nanney; her daughter, Ashley (Brett) Grant; and her stepdaughter, Stephanie (Michael) Lindsey. Jane was also a proud grandmother (Gma) to Daphne, Marlo, Gracie, James, Ellie, Kylie, Jackson, and Reed.

In accordance with Jane's wishes, a small family gathering will be held in her hometown of South Carolina at a later date. In her memory, Jane requested that contributions be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at komen.org