Mary Frances Blankenship

Mary Frances Treadway Blankenship, of Houston, died at her home on August 20. She was born April 5, 1932 in Princeton, West Virginia, the second daughter of Theodore R. and Alice V. Mann Treadway of Princeton, West Virginia. She attended Bluefield Business College and married Cecil "Red" Blankenship shortly after graduating. She made welcoming homes for her family and friends in 7 states and Germany before settling in Houston 43 years ago. Mary Frances was a member of Clay Road Baptist Church in Houston. Her abiding faith sustained her through personal and health-related challenges, and she demonstrated her values by continually prioritizing others. A large group of faithful friends around the country enjoyed the loyalty and humor that accompanied her friendship. Mary Frances excelled as a wife, mother, sister and aunt. She showered love and attention on all her family members. Saddened as they are by the loss, they nonetheless feel boundless gratitude for the joy she shared with them. The world was a more forgiving place with her in it. Mary Frances leaves behind a daughter, Deborah Edlund (Louis Padula), a son-in-law, Allen Edmonds, and two granddaughters Katherine Gleason and Mallory Hashiguchi (Brian). She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Cecil T. Blankenship, daughter Carolyn Dunn, and sister Henrietta Wade. A celebration of Mary Frances' life will be held at Clay Road Baptist Church, 9151 Clay Road, Houston at 3 p.m. on September 9, 2018. Memorials may be directed to the American Lung Association or Clay Road Baptist Church.