Blankenship, Franklin McKinley

Franklin McKinley Blankenship, 63 of Lashmeet, West Virginia, formerly of Narrows passed away Sunday, January 1st, 2012 at Princeton Community Hospital. He was born in Narrows on January 11th, 1948 and was the son of Helen Fleeman Blankenship and the late Elmer (Buster) Blankenship. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a grandmother who raised him, Cindy Fleeman; and sister, Gaynell Montgomery. A United States Army veteran, he was a former employee of Eastern Associated Coal Company in Herndon, West Virginia. An avid hunter and fisherman, he also enjoyed yard work and small construction projects. A loving son, father, grandfather, and brother, he will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him. Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Helen Fleeman Blankenship of Bluefield, West Virginia; a son, Nicky Blankenship and wife Teshea of Pipestem; a daughter, Deborah Staton and husband Greg of Rock; eleven grandchildren; a sister, Juanita Shrader and husband Gary of Narrows; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many special friends, including a very special friend, Lowell Sanders of Lashmeet. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 at 2 PM in the Chapel of Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Narrows with graveside rites conducted by VFW Post #6000 of Narrows, American Legion Posts #68 of Narrows, #311 of Pembroke and #145 of Peterstown. The family will receive friends at Riffe’s Funeral Service Tuesday from 6 to 8 PM. The family is being served by Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows, (540) 726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com.