Franklin, VA – Burton “Burt” Morgan Blythe, 69, beloved father, grandfather, and brother, passed away peacefully December 21, 2011 with his family at his side. A native of Franklin, he was a son of the late Stafford Emmett and Myrtle Lee Overby Blythe and was a member of Hunterdale Christian Church and attended Bethel Friends Meeting House.

Burt graduated from Franklin High School in 1962. Upon graduation, he gained employment at Union Camp Paper Mill. Being unsatisfied with indoor work, he decided to attend Auctioneering School in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1964. He then went on to sell livestock in Rocky Mount, North Carolina for Gus Z. Lancaster Stockyards for many years, all the while building a reputation as an ambitious go-getter. In 1967, he started his own auction business, Blythe Auction Company, which is carried on today by his son, Ben. For many years, he held the largest annual farm equipment auctions in the state of Virginia. During his career, he held the title of East Coast Champion Auctioneer several times and attended many auctioneering conferences throughout the United States. He dealt in farm equipment, livestock, and produce for well over 50 years. His handshake was as good as any contract and he never met a stranger. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Lisa Blythe Darden and Julia Leigh Blythe; son, Benjamin S. Blythe and wife, Melisa; sisters: Juanita B. Sydnor and husband, Ernest and Brenda B. Hand and husband, Junior; brother, Horace W. Blythe and wife, Barbara; grandchildren, Jason, Adam, and Brookelyn Darden, Olivia and Bryce Pope, Clayton and Shannon Blythe and step-sons, Robert A. “Pete” Karafa and wife, Donna and their sons, Charlie and Drew and W. Chris Blythe and his daughter, Alaina and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2 pm, Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at Wright Funeral Home with Rev. Randy Wright and Rev. Wayne Blythe officiating. Burial will be private. A celebration of Burt’s life will be held following the burial at the Fellowship Hall at Hunterdale Christian Church. The family will receive friends Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at the funeral home from 7 to 9 pm. Memorial donations may be made to Cure PSP, (www.psp.org) 30 E. Padonia Rd., Suite 201, Timonium, MD 21093. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.