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BORN
1949
DIED
2011
Gim Blankenship Obituary
Blankenship, Sr.
August 14, 1949 -
October 16, 2011
Gim Donald (BIG GIM) Blankenship, Sr. ,of Pensacola, Fl., passed away on Sunday October 16, 2011, surrounded by him loving family after a courageous 3 1/2 year battle with Cancer. He attended the schools of Escambia County , graduating from Booker T. Washington Sr. High School class of 1969. He worked at Reichhold Chemicals, Armstrong World, Inc., He was Maintenance Supervisor at Pine Forest High School and retired from The Escambia County School District due to his illness. He was owner of GIM'S Utility/Building Maintenance.
Gim is survived by his childhood sweetheart, the love of his life, Mrs. Firnah Ross Blankenship, three sons, Gim Donald Jr. (Stephanie)., Rev. Michael (Rochelle) and Timothy (Wendi) Blankenship. Two daughters, Kalitta Denise and Willie Andrea Blankenship One God daughter Shurlitha Hodges Jones., 15 grandchildren, two Godchildren Cameron and Camille Jones., Three brothers Rev. Erskin D. Jr. (Terri Ann), Rev. Lawrence (Zelmer), and Roy Edward (Queen) Blankenship, Five Sisters, Mrs. Voncile Rich, Mrs.Edna (Chris ) Eccles, Mrs. Rosemary (Harold ) Carter, Mrs. Mattie (Allen) Davis , and Roseanne Blankenship. One brother in Law, Curtis (Linda) Ross Jr., and one Sister in law, Mrs. Roslyn Savage. Three aunts, four uncles, and a host of nieces and nephews and friends.
The funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 22, 2011, @ Sabathani Baptist Church, with Bishop J. C. Crenshaw, Jr. Presiding. Visitation will be from 12:00- 9:00 p.m. on Friday @ Joe Morris Funeral Home.
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Memories and Condolences
for Gim Blankenship
R D Smith Jr
June 7, 2021
"May God Continue To Bless Firnah And The Blankenship Family". I was saddened to hear of Gim passing after searching mylife .com. My Happy Memories of Gim and Firnah at the old Booker T. Washington High School in the 'Good Old Days' will last a life time. Big Gim was truly a Great Running Back and a Great Friend. R. D. Smith Jr. , Springdale Md., Class of ' 69 Wildcat
Johnny Gould
October 15, 2019
Mission accomplished. May he rest in peace.
Bishop Crenshaw
March 28, 2012
There will never be a greater deacon!! He was the appitamy of what a man is and how you love your pastor and church. God bless and keep the legacy of his "Soldier"! Sweet rest deak.....
November 2, 2011
Firnah, my prayers are with you and your family through your time of sorrow. Gim will be truly missed, just continue to focus on the good times and remember that he is in a better place without any pain and suffering. Although he is not physically with you he will always be with you in your heart. May God continue to bless you and your family. Your classmate of 1969 Jennifer(Jones) Boudreaux, Fort Washington, MD
Willie Andrea Blankenship
October 26, 2011
LOVE YA "PAPPY" YOU ARE THE GREATEST DAD EVER!!
Staff On 3 West Baptist Hospital
October 25, 2011
Our thoughts are with you during this time. We are all sad to hear of the death of Mr. Blankenship, and each of us felt honored to have had a part in his care.
Jacqueline Dailey
October 25, 2011
Firnah and Blankenship Family,
I was extremely saddened to hear of Gim's passing. As a member of WHS class of 1969 my memories of Gim and Firnah are very vivid. What a blessing to have lived a true "Love Story" Please accept my condolences.
Jacqueline Mackey Dailey
Robin
October 25, 2011
Firnah, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I know God is with you and your family during this difficult time. Robin Jackson , Gold Canyon , AZ
Trenia Burkett
October 23, 2011
May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared, comfort you now and in the days ahead.
Wendi George
October 23, 2011
May God give you all the strength to make it through such a tough time..for the past 10 years I've looked at him as a father figure and he was the best..love y'all (The Blankenship's) very much
David Gilley
October 23, 2011
Gim was a gentle soul who could always keep you laughing.Heck of a good guy.
Fred "Toosie" Soles
October 23, 2011
To the Blankenship Family, May the God of Peace continue to bring you together and lead you by His Spirit. I have known the Blackmon Family since the early 60's and have always know the the Lord was working in them to bring His Word and His Character to a lost and dying world. I played in the yard and in the neighbor with Roy and the younger brothers, but remebr the legend of Big Gim. May God continue to bless the Blankenship Family.
October 22, 2011
To Firnah and The Blankenship Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort and may God bless you and keep you in his care.
Rosemaria Shelby-Williams
Class of '69
Renee Khatena
October 22, 2011
Dear Firnah & Family,
My heart aches for you in the loss of Gim. Today’s service was a wonderful tribute to Gim and your life together as a loving family. Just as he loved all of you and took care of you here on earth-he will continue to watch over you from heaven. As I leave school each day, I will still look over at your house and I will remember “Mr. Gim” waving to me and giving me that big sweet smile! Love & hugs to all of you, Renee Khatena
Janie Turner Lawrence
October 22, 2011
Erskin, Our prayers are with you and your family. We have always been connected by love. May the funny and loving memories of your brother ease the hurt in your heart. God is an ever present help in time of trouble. The Turner family, James,Sandy,Larry,Cynthia,Priscilla, and myself. We love you!!
Valerie Johnson & Roger McAroy
October 22, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Raymond Pugh
October 22, 2011
Gim Blankenship really impressed me during our teenage years as he openly claimed Christianity when most of us were still sowing wild oats. He wasn't influenced by by the peer pressure to fit in with the in-crowd.
And let us not forget how Gim Blankenship entertained many sports fans with his football talent at old Washington Jr. High School (Golden Eagles) and old Washington Sr. High School (Wildcat). He was one of the best football full-backs in the history of those two schools.
Shirley Peace
October 22, 2011
To The Family, The Lord is My Rock, and My Fortress, and My Deliverer; My God, My Strength, in Whom I Will Trust.{Psalm 18:2}
May God Bless And Keep The BlankenShip Family. Shirley Peace [PineForest High School]
Amos Moorer
October 22, 2011
I knew Gim at Washington High. May God strengthen and keep you is our Prayers.
October 21, 2011
To the Blankenship family, please accept my deepest sympathy. Gim will be missed tremendously. Thank God I had an opportunity to share laughs and great adventures with him remembering the class of 1969, Washington state adventure. I will cherish those times forever.
Johnny Gould, Tacoma, Wa, Class of 1969, Booker T. Washington
October 21, 2011
To the Blankenship family,
You have my deepest sympathy at this sad time in your lives. May God feel the void that your hearts carry long after the storm is over. We love you all and will be praying for you.
LOVE TABITHA REESE AND FAMILY
Brenda Savage
October 21, 2011
Firnah you and your Family are in my prayers. Brenda Smith Savage
October 21, 2011
To The Blankenship, Rich and all other family members. We send this note as an expression of our love and sympathy to each of you. May God continue to bless and strengthen you as you go through these hours of saddness.
Alvon and Brenda T. Colston
Kevin Haigler
October 21, 2011
Willie,
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Arlinda Stallworth
October 21, 2011
Willie and Family,
I never met Mr.Gim(Pops)personally,I knew him from conversations with his daughter Willie at work. Grief can be so hard, but your special memories will help you cope. God will sustain you.
Betty Stallworth-Hayes
October 21, 2011
Firnah, my prayers are with you,and your family.remember earth has no sorry that heaven can't cure.May the Spirit of the Lord comfort all of you in these trying times.
Class 2008
October 21, 2011
"May sympaths goes out to the Family. Mr. gim was a sweet man.He worked at Pine Forest when i attended. He will be truly miss. May god bless you through this times."
October 21, 2011
To Tim and Wendi and the famiy My prayer are with you God bless you and the time of sorrow. Ethel George
October 21, 2011
Tim & Wendi I'am so sorry for the lost of Tim father may God bless you and this time of sorry & my prayer are to the family as well. Hazel Levins
October 21, 2011
To The Blankenship Family:
May God Be With Each of You during this
difficult time. "Take One Day At A Time".
Be Blessed,
Constance Lee Walker
Tammie Peavy Frye
October 21, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
The Dawson Family
October 21, 2011
The Blankenship Family
Our prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. We are like family being neighbors for many years and know that we are here for you.
Carolyn McCree
October 21, 2011
"You are in my thoughts and prayers"
Classmate "69
Carolyn (King)McCree
Anthony E. Sangfield
October 21, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Raymond Pugh
October 20, 2011
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Brother Gim Blankenship, one whom I truly admired him as a classmate. His character was a model for all citizens. I pray that God will strengthen the entire Blankenship family, indeed an upstanding family in Pensacola, Florida. And to his wife Furna, also my classmate, who I hardly know but respect much, may God bless you and keep you in His care. He is able, and I know He will see you through if you believe and trust Him.
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