Benjamin Barron Blankenship Sr.

Ben Blankenship, 80, of Charlotte, NC, passed away peacefully at his residence on April 11, 2015. Ben was born on the 15th day of November 1934 to Bennett Molten Blankenship and Katrina Steel Blankenship.

Married for 58 years, Ben is survived by the love of his life, Faye Wright Blankenship. He was a man who loved his family with so much grace: his son, Benjamin Barron Blankenship, Jr. and (Dana), and daughter, Terri Lynne Blankenship; grandchildren, Anna Marie Kerrigan (William), Benjamin David Blankenship (Allison) and Allen Brantley Blankenship; great- grandchildren, Jameson Martin Kerrigan, William Michael Kerrigan, Lily Faye Blankenship and Jackson Bennett Blankenship.

Ben was a member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church where he enjoyed a fellowship among those in Bible Study Classes. He graduated from West Mecklenburg High School where he played and lettered in football and baseball. He attended NC State University and Kings Business College and served in the National Guard for three years. As the eldest brother, Ben worked with his three brothers who he loved dearly; Mike, Steele and Richard at Blankenship Construction Company for 18 years. Later Ben worked for Charlotte Transit Management System.

Ben will always be remembered for his love for others, his kindness and willingness to help anyone, his love for music and singing, his beautiful vegetable gardens and how much he enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor with all. He especially enjoyed his friendship with his neighbor, Butch Jones. He loved and adored his dachshunds, Sadie and Maggie. Ben was an honorable and generous man who truly loved to give whatever he had to offer and expected nothing in return.

A Private Entombment will take place at the Community Mausoleum at Forest Lawn West prior to services. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, April 14th in the Paul Helton Chapel of Forest Lawn West at 11:00am. The family will receive friends following the memorial service.

Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1915 Oakdale Road, Charlotte, NC 28216.

On-line condolences may be placed at www.forestlawnwest.com.