Obituary of Roy Blankenship

Roy Blankenship Of Amherstdale, WV Roy Blankenship, 68, of Amherstdale went to his Heavenly home on Friday, February 24, 2012 from his residence. He was surrounded by his family that adored him. Born on June 24, 1943 at Baisden, he was the son of the late Rufus and Lydia Blankenship. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl and Daisy Baisden, who loved him like a son; one grandson, Eric Goodman, and one step-grandson, Henry Ramsey. Roy was a Christian of the Baptist faith. The priority in his life was his complete devotion and love for his family. He was an avid sports fan his entire life and dearly loved his Cincinnati Reds. Roy also coached many area youths in Miss Softball America. A retired coal miner formerly employed with Pittston Coal Company, he was a member of the U.M.W.A. Local 1971 where he had served as a past local 1971 president. Roy was so admired by his fellow co-workers that he was elected and served as Field Representative in the early 1990's. Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 47 years, Shirley Ann Blankenship; one son, Brian Keith (Lisa) Blankenship of Accoville; three daughters, Tina (Christian) Petzer of Mechanicsville, VA., Drema (Timothy) Franklin of Kistler, and Karen (Ronald) Ramsey of Amherstdale; six brothers, Omer (Sharon) Blankenship and Johnny (Annetta) Blankenship, both of Justice, Ray (Carolyn) Blankenship, Jerry Blankenship, and Jackie (Delina Jo) Blankenship, all of Baisden, and Glen (Carolyn) Blankenship of Nitro; one sister, Ida Mae (David) Burgess of Varney; two grandsons, Kenneth Greene II of Greenville and Brandon Franklin of Kistler; four granddaughters, Whitney Blankenship of Man, Tiffany Blankenship of Logan, Erica Greene of Mechanicsville, VA., and Olivia Ramsey of Amherstdale; one step-grandson, Kalan Ramsey of Amherstdale; one step-granddaughter, Latoya Vineyard of Morgantown; two precious great-grandchildren, Preston Hawk Rorrer and Kelsie Jo Greene; his special caretakers from Dignity Hospice, and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012, at the Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home at Man with Rev. Denver McClellan officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens at Godby. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home and one hour prior to services. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Greene II, Brandon Franklin, Bill Clark, Parish Harvey, Kalan Ramsey, and Jeremy Rorrer. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home at Man.