Blankenship, Randall H.

Randall H. Blankenship, 75, formerly of Narrows, Va., passed away comfortably on Monday, March 9, 2009, with his wife by his side. He was born in Narrows on December 6, 1933, and was the son of the late Harlon Rufus and Ethel Alma Payne Blankenship.

He retired from General Motors Metal Fabricating in Flint, Mich., where he worked for 37 years as a skilled tradesman. He was a die-hard Detroit Tigers baseball fan, and loved country music, recording cassette tapes for friends and family. He was very proud of his family and loved them deeply, and will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Jane Blankenship, of Pulaski; three sons, Randall (Rusty) Blankenship and Timothy Keith Blankenship, both of Pulaski, and Kirby Wade Blankenship and wife, Debbie, of Davison, Mich.; three daughters, Teresa Jane Cherette and husband, Leonard, of Perry, Mich., Pamela Ann Blankenship, of Narrows, and Demotha Gae Lambert and husband, Scott, of Linden, Mich.; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many special friends.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2009, in the chapel of Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows with the Rev. Bill Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Narrows. The family will receive friends at Riffe’s Funeral Service on Friday, March 13, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.m. The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolence messages can be sent to the family at www.riffes.com.