Nancy A Blankenship

Nancy Alma Blankenship was born on March 8, 1942, in Newport News, Virginia. She was the second of three children born to Robert Aubrey Stevens and Georgia Beatrice “Bea” Stevens.

She graduated from Fletcher Academy in Fletcher, North Carolina, in 1959, and went on to earn her Registered Nursing degree from the same institution in 1962. While at Fletcher, Nancy met Mary Jo Blankenship, who became a dear friend. Through Mary Jo, Nancy was introduced to Franklin Blankenship—Mary Jo’s brother—whom she later married.

Nancy dedicated over four decades to her calling as a registered nurse, providing expert care and leadership in both clinical and administrative roles. Most of her career was spent at Takoma Adventist Hospital and Johnson City Medical Center Hospital. She retired in 2004 after 42 years of service.

In April 2021, Nancy suffered a traumatic brain injury due to a fall. After a lengthy period of hospitalization and rehabilitation, she returned home, where she was cared for by her daughter and a devoted team of caregivers.

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Brenda F. Blankenship-Ray, and son-in-law, Kenneth J. E. Ray, of Greeneville; her grandsons, Trace Kenneth Ray (and his fiancée Aleah Tweed) of Greeneville, and Jason Turner Ray of Chattanooga. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Malcolm Thurlow and several nieces and nephews: Deborah Thurlow, Tina Stevens, Michael Stevens, Pam Sams-Cox, and Bowdie Campbell.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her younger brother Randall Stevens, her sister Joelene Thurlow, and her former husband, Franklin Blankenship.

Nancy was a lifelong Seventh-day Adventist and attended the Greeneville Seventh-day Adventist Church. She enjoyed collecting nurse figurines, reading, cooking, keeping an immaculate home, beach trips, and—above all else—providing unending love and support to her daughter and son-in-law, as well as spoiling her two grandsons.

A visitation will be held on August 22, 2025, at Kiser-Rose Hill Chapel, beginning at 2:30 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. Interment of ashes will take place immediately after the service at the Chapel Mausoleum, GreeneLawn Memory Gardens.

Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.