Ralph Noah Blankenship

Ralph Noah Blankenship, age 85, of Richlands, VA went to be with the Lord Tuesday, August 18, 2015. He was born December 5, 1929 in Red Ash, VA and was the son of the late Noah “Shag” and Roxie Lee Dye Blankenship of Premier, VA. Mr. Blankenship was a class of 1950 graduate of Richlands High School and was a lifelong resident of the Richlands area. He worked at Southwest Tire in Richlands before later owning and operating Ralph’s Auto Parts. He was an artist, a visionary, an inventor. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed being a musician. He was an architect, where he designed many homes, business and churches in North Carolina, West Virginia and Southwest Virginia. He was an overcomer, compassionate and generous, who in the face of physical limitations has taught all who knew him that the only disability is lacking a positive attitude. He attended Richlands First Assembly God Church in Richlands. He was loved and admired by his family, and will never be forgotten by his loved ones. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Pauline Blankenship Miller Whitaker; and one grandchild, Tonja “Toni” Denise Dunford. He is survived by: His Wife of 65 years, Phylis Ann Williams Blankenship Two Daughters: Patricia Blankenship Whited and husband, Dwain of Pounding Mill, VA Nina Lynn Blankenship Cole and Ronnie Breeding of Tazewell, VA One Son: David Noah Blankenship and wife, Deborah of Supply, NC One Sister: Doris Alley Five Grandchildren, Twelve Great Grandchildren, and Four Great Great-Grandchildren also survive, along with a host of family and friends. Funeral services for Ralph Noah Blankenship will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at the Richlands First Assembly God Church in Richlands, VA with the Rev. Buddy Herald officiating. Interment will follow at the Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill, Virginia. Pallbearers will be: One Grandson, Adam Blankenship and Great Grandsons: Matt Blevins, Alex Bussard, Cory Alicie, Jarred Alicie, and Eli Dunford. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 pm at the church. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

Ralph Noah Blankenship

December 5, 1929 - August 18, 2015