Pastor “Preacher” Brian Keith Blankenship, age 43, went Home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 8th, 2023. A native of Yancey County, he was the son of Michael Keith and Judy Ann Fox Blankenship.
Pastor “Preacher” Brian was a dedicated Christian that accepted the Lord as his Savior on June 13th, 1993. He dedicated his life to leading people to the Lord and ministered to the lost in his loving, kind way. He became Pastor of Laurel Valley Baptist Church in 2018. Brian loved helping everyone, and made all those around him laugh with his bright humor. In the words of his wife, “He’s a snake-handling goofball.” He started as a lineman, and then later became a foreman, for French Broad Electric, forming a family bond with his coworkers. He shared a love of hunting with his Daddy, and coon hunting and serving the Lord with his brother-in-law, Kelly. His family and ministry were the most important things in life to him.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Colette McIntosh Blankenship; his children: Rylie Lane, Ruben Lee and Adyson Lynn of the home; sister, Ashley Pittman (Kelly) of Bakersville; brother-in-law, Cody McIntosh of Burnsville; niece, Pearl Grace Pittman; aunt, Connie Robertson (Jeffrey) of Burnsville; uncle, Ronnie Fox (Angie) of South Toe; father-in-law, Morris McIntosh (Regina) of Burnsville; mother-in-law, Marketta McIntosh of Burnsville; and first cousins: Wylie Fox and Amanda Howell (Niles, Jr.) of Burnsville. He is survived as well by his Laurel Valley Baptist Church family, numerous friends, and co-workers of French Broad Electric.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 20th in the chapel of Yancey Funeral Service. Pastor Cecil Hensley and Pastor Preston Riddle will officiate. Burial will follow in the Ray Cemetery on Pensacola. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 19th at Yancey Funeral Service.
He was well known for saying, “It is what it is,” but if you remember anything about Pastor “Preacher” Brian, let him leave you with these last words: “Get right, and meet me in Heaven.”
Memorial donations may be made to Laurel Valley Baptist Church at 40 Watershed Road, Mars Hill, NC 28754. To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com.
