A son of the late Arthur Govan and Mamie Viola Call Blankenship, he was born November 6, 1921 in Union Grove, North Carolina. He retired from the I.B.E.W. Local 5 Electricians Union, where he had been employed as an Electrician. He was a member of the Smith Chapel Methodist Church in Union Grove, NC, where he served as the Sunday school superintendent, and attended the Independent Traditional Holiness Church in Indiana. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #141. Mr. Blankenship served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII in the Pacific Theatre, Panama and the Battle of Okinawa. He enjoyed flower gardening, hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Anna Belle Fulmer Henry Blankenship, Homer City; two children: James Michael Blankenship and wife Gloria, Clyde; Rita Faye Blankenship, Eugene, Ore.; two step-children: Robert Blaine Henry and wife Iris, Clymer; Beverly Costlow and husband Clyde, Lilly; a brother, Charles Blankenship, Woodleaf, N.C.; a sister, Emily Dotson, King, N.C.; three grandchildren: Russell Thomas Blankenship, Sara Louise Blankenship and John Joseph Blankenship; six step-grandchildren: Tiffany Aloi, Yvette Henry, Thad Henry, Heidi Church, Laura McConnell, and Candi Ike; numerous step great-grandchildren; one step great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Louise Palmer Blankenship; three sisters: Lucy Page, Faye Williams and Mary Stuart; a grandson, James Andrew Blankenship, and a step-grandson, Ryan Robert Henry.
Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Reavis Funeral Home Of Harmony . A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday with Rev. Sam Childs officiating at Smith Chapel United Methodist Church and interment will be in the church cemetery with military rites presented by the Harmony American Legion Post # 113.
Condolences may be sent on line to the family to www.reavisfuneralhomeharmony.com.
Reavis Funeral Home of Harmony is entrusted with the arrangements.
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