Jerome Alvin Blankenship, 80, of the Pensacola community, passed away Monday, January 7, 2019, at St. Josephs Hospital.
A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Ray and Osie Atkins Blankenship. He was also preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law: Roy and Judy Ogle Blankenship; and, nephew: Douglas Blankenship.
Jerome was an avid bear hunter and a life time member of Cane River Hunting Club, of which he served as vice president. He worked a variety of jobs including 12 years with the U. S. Forest Service. Jerome was a US Navy Veteran. He loved his family and friends and bluegrass music. Jerome will be greatly missed in the Pensacola community.
Surviving are his wife of 58 years: Pauline Penland Blankenship; children: Reamona Thomason and husband, Clyde, Ray Blankenship and wife, Susan, Vickie Elkins and husband, Stacy, and Donna Donlon and husband, Jim; grandchildren: Alan and Brandon Thomason, Caroline Ray and Frank Blankenship, Kyle, Ryan and Lacy Elkins, Christine Donlon and Allison Sanchez; 5 great grandchildren and 1 expectant; siblings: Gene Blankenship and wife, Linda, David Blankenship and wife, Eloise, and Raylene Anglin and husband, Ralph.
A graveside service will be held at 1PM Wednesday, January 9, 2019 in the Garrett Ray Cemetery. His sons-in-laws, Rev. Clyde Thomason and Rev. Stacy Elkins, will officiate.
Memorials may be made to the Cane River Hunting Club Bait Fund, C/O Travis Bagwell, 1388 Ewart Wilson Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.
To send an online condolence please visit: www.holcombebrothers.com
