Ethel L. Blankenship

BLANKENSHIP-Ethel L. Blankenship, age 103, a long time Pasadena resident, passed very peacefully at Scripps Kensington retirement home in Alhambra, CA on December 31, 2010. Ethel was born on October 9, 1907 in Dodson, Louisiana to mother Josie Walker-Nears and father Alex Nears. She attended school in Dodson. She was a faithful member of New Friendship Baptist Church in Gansville, Louisiana. She married Robert B. Blankenship, Sr. on March 3, 1925. Ethel and Robert moved to Pasadena, CA in the early 1940's with five children. Two other children were born in California. She was preceded in death by her parents and her eight siblings, husband, two sons, a daughter, three sons-in-laws, two daughters-in-law. Ethel was the sole survivor of her immediate family. She is survived by her daughters Queen Hampton, Pacoima, CA, Mae Johnson, Altadena, CA, Gale Blankenship, Pasadena, CA and her son Mack Blankenship (Althea), Apple Valley, CA, 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 20 great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Viewing will be held 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 14, 2011 at Victory Bible Church, 1497 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena, CA 91109. The repast will be at this same location. Interment, Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, CA. Woods-Valentine Mortuary, Pasadena, Directing.