Jerry Ronald Blankenship
1942 - 2018
Jerry Ronald Blankenship
1942 - 2018
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1942
DIED
2018
Jerry Blankenship Obituary
Born April 13, 1942 in Rutherfordton County, NC, he was the son of the late Ray Gilkey Blankenship and Selma Graybeal Blankenship. Jerry retired from Norfolk & Southern Railroad after thirty-seven years of service.
In addition to his wife, Jerry is survived by a daughter, Jan L. Baker and husband Scott of Madison Heights; two brothers, John Blankenship and wife Mary of St. Augustine, FL and Jim Blankenship of St. Mary, GA and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jerry lived life to the fullest outdoors. He loved to be outside and his many interests included hunting, fishing, beekeeping, golf, and especially creating bountiful gardens teeming with more produce than his family and friends could eat. Upon retiring, his gardening expanded to growing grapes and making wine. Jerry had an inquisitive mind and loved to experiment just to see what could be done. He was also a woodworking craftsman creating beautiful pieces of furniture and picture frames that his wife and daughter will enjoy for a lifetime.
Jerry will be best remembered for his adventurous spirit, generous nature, sense of humor and big, easy smile. He had several special friends who were in many ways like family to him and the family would like to thank them for all of their loving support, especially through the last stages of his battle with cancer.
A gathering to celebrate Jerry's life will be held at Whitten Monelison Chapel from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, September 2, 2018 with a time for family and friends to share special memories of Jerry, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at McDowell Memorial Park in Marion, NC under the direction of Beam Funeral Service, 2170 Rutherford Road, Marion, NC 28752.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to your favorite charity.
To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.whittenmonelison.com.
Whitten Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Monelison Chapel is serving the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
John Blankenship
October 5, 2018
It w, as a cool day in march in a small frame house in the foot hills of North Carolina my Grand mother, Father ai
were waiting in the living room while my Mother and the doctor were in the bed room. I heard my mother making a loud noise and the next thing I remember the doctor brought out a little baby, my brother Jerry. As he grew up a he was my little brother , my best friend. We grew up playing in the near by hills, creeks and fields around us. As time went by we went our separate ways, staying in touch and occasionally getting to gather, but not nearly as much as I would have liked to, we both had a lot of common interests, the love of our families the field streams and mountains. The God given things. Jerry often enjoyed canoeing, fishing hunting and working with his small farm growing things. I loved him, I miss him and always will but I know he is with God now and that gives me comfort.
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Mary Faye Hawkins
August 31, 2018
My thoughts and prayers are with Jerry's family at this difficult time.
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