Sellersburg, Indiana - Virginia Rose Guilford (Blackburn)

July 9, 1943 - August 28, 2025

Virginia Rose Guilford (Blackburn), 82, of Sellersburg, Indiana, passed away peacefully in the evening hours of August 28, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on July 9, 1943, to Elmer J. Blackburn and Pauline Blackburn (Krumpelman), Virginia lived a life of deep faith, warmth, and unwavering devotion to her family. She worked for many years as an administrative assistant in the field of education, where her professionalism, kindness, and steady presence made a lasting impact on her colleagues and community.

A devout member of Northside Christian Church, Virginia lived her faith in both word and deed. She was known for her generosity, quiet strength, and the gentle encouragement she gave to those around her. Her home was a place of welcome — filled with love, laughter, and the aroma of something always baking in the oven.

Virginia found joy in the simple things: long walks with friends, afternoons spent knitting gifts for loved ones, tending to her garden, and cheering enthusiastically from the bleachers at her grandchildren's sporting events. Her hands were rarely still, always working on something to give or share. She had a gift for listening, a contagious laugh, and a heart big enough to hold generations.

In addition to her parents, Virginia was preceded in death by her brother, Leo T. Blackburn, and sister, Mary E. Wilkerson.

Those left to cherish her memory include her devoted husband of 62 years, Edward C. Guilford, Sr.; daughters, Julie A. Collings (Bill), M. Angela Sparks (Andy), and Celeste M. Bowling (Ken); sons, Edward C. Guilford, Jr. and Benjamin B. Guilford (Tracy); sisters, Barbara F. Heitz and Pauline E. Phillips; brothers, Elmer H. Blackburn, Michael J. Blackburn, and Paul T. Blackburn. She was a proud grandmother of twenty-one grandchildren and great-grandmother to eleven — each of whom brought her endless pride and joy.

Visitation for Virginia will be held in the West Auditorium of Northside Christian Church (4407 Charlestown Rd, New Albany, IN) on Wednesday, September 3rd, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with funeral services to follow at 6:00 PM. She will be laid to rest at St. Mary of the Knobs Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Virginia's memory to Northside Christian Church or the Wounded Warrior Project — two causes close to her heart.

Virginia's legacy of love, faith, and family will live on in all who knew her.