Cloyd Blankenship

August 3, 1924 - October 24, 2017

Cloyd Blankenship, 93, of Mullens, passed away on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at his residence. Born August 3, 1924 at Roanoke, Virginia, he was the son of the late Roy and Vera (Hoskins) Blankenship. Cloyd was a former mine foreman for the Itmann Coal Company and retiring as a Federal Mine Inspector. He was a member of the Highland Avenue Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. In addition to his parents he is also preceded in death by his wife, Betty Lou Blankenship; three sisters, Colleen Greene, Ezell David, and Edra Blakely; and one brother, Roy Blankenship, Jr. Those left to cherish his memory include his two sons, Mark Blankenship of Raleigh, NC and Rick Rice of Mullens (Sandy Rose of Beckley); one grandson, Merrick Rice of Mullens; and one brother, Mike Blankenship of Roanoke, VA. Services will be 12 Noon, Friday, October 27, 2017 at the Highland Avenue Baptist Church, Mullens with Rev. Lewis Arnold officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call one hour prior to services Friday at the church. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Hilltop Rehabilitation Center, Council on Aging (Abby Hardy), John Karper, and Kim Blankenship for the special care they shown during Mr. Blankenship's illness. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations of sympathy be made to the Highland Avenue Baptist Church, 318 Highland Avenue, Mullens, WV 25882. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tankerlseyfh.com. The family of Cloyd Blankenship is being cared for by Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens.