James Ray "Jimmy" Blankenship

James "Jimmy" Ray Blankenship

February 25, 2022

Hey Boo. Where are you?

The Doctor said that Dad was doing good, then his heart did a crazy dance, and it stopped.

But his family, right there with him, knows what really happened. We watched as Dad saw a glimpse of his "Boo" a few hours earlier. We know that he went looking for her again, in the still of the night. Dad called out, and she answered. This time, he ran toward her.

And the one who stole his heart? Boo. My Mom, Carolyn McFarland Blankenship. She held his heart and wore his ring for 44 years here on earth. She was called home way too soon, as well. She's been watching over us all for nine years now.

James Ray Blankenship, 76, was the baby of three boys born to Ray Gilkey Blankenship and Selma Graybeal Blankenship, of Glenwood. Johnny, Dad's oldest brother, lives in St Augustine, Fla., with his wife Mary, (Boggs) and their beautiful family.

Both brothers were sad to lose their middle brother Jerry (wife, Rosemary McFadden) just a few years ago.

Dad passed away in the wee hours of Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Cayce, S.C. He lived with me, his only daughter, Tamara Johnson and my husband, John Paul, on our family property. Dad always looked forward to taking the quick ride up the hill to enjoy a home-cooked meal with my daughter, Brittney Sway and her husband, Jesse. He loved being so close to his great-grandchildren, his youngest girl who turned 12 just days before he passed, and two rambunctious little boys, one of whom bears Dads name and his sparkling eyes. Holidays were his favorite. He never missed one. His favorite times were when the boys walked down the hill and shared a bowl of oatmeal. blueberry. with him for breakfast.

He was a janitor at Glenwood Methodist Church, a bus driver for his Glenwood High School Classmates (class of '63), a Sunoco Station owner, a soldier in Vietnam, a switchman on the railroad that his father laid the track for. Dad was a builder of dreams and several businesses, a giver of nicknames, able to lift the heaviest of spirits and provide a true sense of confidence with one of his sweet crooked smiles. Man, I'm going to miss that smile.

But smile we will.

My uncle, Johnny, and I, and our families, welcome Dads family and friends around Marion to join us in celebrating the friendship and good times that were shared with my Daddy.

There won't be any long speeches, and there's no reason to wear a tie or shoes that aren't comfortable, dad never like formalities or regrets.

Let's gather at Pleasant Gardens Baptist Church Fellowship Hall Thursday evening, March 17, between 4 to 6 p.m., to have a bite to eat and raise a glass of tea to the "Good Times."