Donnie Wayne Blankenship

Donnie was born on June 23, 1952 in Richland, GA. He was the son of the late Herbert Blankenship and Susie Blankenship. He attended Greenfield Academy in Weston, GA, then enrolled at Georgia Southwestern College for a short while following graduation from Greenfield in 1970.

Donnie was a member of the Central Church of Christ in Saraland. He served as a deacon there for a few years. He was baptized into Christ by Billy Lambert in 1994. He never looked back…he loved the church and he loved the Lord.

Donnie grew up in Webster County, GA. He helped farm the family peanut business until taking a job at Sullivan Lumber Co., in Preston, GA. He worked in the sawmill industry in some capacity for 53 years. He loved people and formed many long-term relationships in the industry. He liked to make people smile. He was a man of his word. He was an excellent cook and enjoyed grilling on the weekends. Donnie loved to hunt, fish and spend time outside. He enjoyed staying busy whether it was working or playing. He had several nicknames, Grandaddy, DW, Catdaddy, Donnie Wayne, and BooBoo.

He was the husband of Lorraine Thaxton Blankenship for 53 years. He was a devoted father to Jenny Blankenship (Steven Daniels) and Lora Lee Blankenship-Cannon (Samuel Cannon). He had 3 grandsons that were his pride and joy: Ethan Wayne Coxwell, Tyler Stephen Pope, and Augustus Troy Oberkirch. He had one brother, Eddie Blankenship,a.k.a. Shorty, and one sister, Kay Blankenship Skellie (Walter Skellie aka Buddy). He also leaves behind to cherish his memories a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, and other family members, as well as friends.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Donnie’s memory, to Central Church of Christ, 225 US Hwy 43, Saraland, AL 36571