James Fred Blankenship

James Fred Blankenship, age 66, of Swords Creek, Virginia, passed away Friday, September 20, 2013 at Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol, Tennessee following a lengthy illness. He was born in Bandy, Virginia and was the son of Hassel Blankenship of Bandy, Virginia and the late Nannie Mae Barnes Blankenship. Mr. Blankenship was a Class of 1966 graduate of Richlands High School and Vocational Tech School in Tazewell, Virginia. He was a veteran of the Virginia Army National Guard. Mr. Blankenship was a former mining electrician and mechanic and he owned several businesses. He loved music and was an artist at heart. He lived most of his life in the Cedar Bluff and Claypool Hill areas. He attended the Bandy Chapel Church in Bandy, Virginia. He will be missed by all those who knew and loved him. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by one brother, Arthur Hassel Blankenship and father-in-law, Elmer Dye. In addition to his father, he is survived by: His Wife, Mary Lynn Dye Blankenship Two Sons: Todd Blankenship and wife, Jessica of Johnson City, Tennessee Jamey Blankenship and Fiancé, Michele Martin of Asheville, North Carolina One Sister: Phyllis Mitchell and husband, Randal of Claypool Hill, Virginia Mother-in-Law, Narcie Dye of Swords Creek, Virginia Two Grandchildren: Evan Blankenship and Ava Blankenship Several nieces and nephews also survive along with a host of family and friends. Funeral services for James Fred Blankenship will be conducted at 2:00 pm Monday, September 23, 2013 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, Virginia with Brother Barry Jessee and Brother Walter Jessee officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Virginia. Members of Casey-Short VFW Post #9640 will conduct military graveside rites. Pallbearers will be: Jim Steele, Dave Curry, Woody Grindstaff, Eddie Jessee, Bobby Joe Dye and Bill Dye. Honorary pallbearers will be: Randy Matney, Randal Mitchell, Leo Barnett, John Patrick, Tim Jessee, Larry Meadows, Alan Honaker, A. G. Brewster, Gene Hurst, Jr. and Doug Steele. The Blankenship family will receive friends after 6:00 pm Sunday evening at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: American Cancer Society; 1808 Jefferson St; Bluefield, WV 24701 or Wellmont Hospice House; 280 Steeles Rd; Bristol, TN 37620. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

James Fred Blankenship

June 12, 1947 - September 20, 2013