Malissa June Blackburn

Malissa June Blackburn was born June 14, 1957 to the marriage of Bernice June Shader and Will King Forsythe, Jr. Surrounded by family, she passed from this life on Sunday, April 5, 2026 after a hard-fought battle with metastatic breast cancer.

As a child, Malissa grew up in both Carthage, Texas and Gainesville, New York areas, graduating from Letchworth Central High School in Gainesville, New York in 1975. As a young adult, she moved back to Carthage to be with her family before migrating over to Shreveport, Louisiana for better employment opportunities. Malissa worked at Caddo Abstract and Title Company for several years before being introduced to the love of her life — Kinsey Interests.

As a Certified Professional Landman, Malissa worked in a man’s world, but she never let that sway her. For 39 years, she managed the Kinsey land department, overseeing the royalty and working interests of nearly 2000 wells, writing contracts for the purchase and sale of hundreds of parcels of land/properties and managing the Kinsey private air charter service. Although her job filled her time, she always made herself available to anyone who needed her help. She was a proud member of NARO, National Association of Royalty Owners, where she served on the board of directors for several years. She was also a member of both the Louisiana and Texas chapter of NARO, serving as President of the Louisiana chapter in 2016. Malissa was also a member of the National Association of Division Order Analysts, National Association of Lease and Title Analysts, American Association of Professional Landmen, Ark-La-Tex Association of Professional Landmen and was past President of the Desk and Derrick Club of Shreveport.

In 1988, Malissa married her husband, Byron Rudolph Blackburn (Rudy). Together they experienced 38 years of life – filling those years raising Rudy’s children, and grandchildren. There was lots of spoiling of the grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews with adventures, cruises and trips/campouts in the motor home. There were many NASCAR races with friends and family, and Mardi Gras parades. They spent 15 years as active members of the Krewe of Centaur serving as float lieutenants, designing floats and overseeing the implementation of their visions. Watching a float come together and then being able to ride and present that to the public was an honor and privilege (not to mention a LOT of fun)!

In 2021, Malissa retired from Kinsey Interests so that she and Rudy could live on the coast of Mississippi to be closer to the grandchildren and the water.

Malissa, Mal, Lissy, Auntie Lissy, MeeMaw or Landman Extraordinaire — no matter the name, Malissa made an impression on everyone she met. Her love for life and travel was like no other. She always wanted to experience new places and things, but rest assured, she would be wearing her LBS (little black shorts), flip flops and a visor. Yes, there was usually a glass of wine involved.

To know Malissa was to know the unwavering presence and constant love of her sister, Marsha. Along with Malissa’s stepson Heath, they held her up and walked her through this 9-month battle that ultimately took her away from all of us. We would like to extend love and appreciation to Dr. Allison Wall and staff, Malissa’s oncologist, Dr. Tricia Altman with Singing River Hospital, the staff of Hospice of Light as well as the nurses and aids of Singing River Hospital in Ocean Springs for their diligence and care during this difficult time.

Malissa was preceded in death by her mother, father and stepdaughter. She is survived by her husband, Rudy, stepson, Heath, sister, Marsha and brother, Mark; nieces and nephew, Jessica, Natalie and Pearson; grandchildren, Chance, Mari Beth, Michael, Sara, Rhianna and Alice; great grandchildren, Kennedy and Carter and great nephew and niece, Lane and Dani Rae. She will not only be missed by her family, but by the many people who were lucky enough to call her their friend.

A visitation will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026 from 10:00-11:30am at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. A Celebration of Life will also be held in Shreveport/Bossier City, Louisiana with her many friends and family. This will be announced at a later date.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Malissa June Blackburn.