John T. Blankenship

John T. Blankenship, age 73, of White Hall, left his earthy body to be with Jesus on Sunday, March 29, 2015. Mr. Blankenship was born October 11, 1941, at the Davis Hospital in Pine Bluff, the only child of the late Milton H. and Mary Jerline Ross Blankenship. Mr. Blankenship was reared and received his education in Pine Bluff, graduating from Watson Chapel High School in 1959. His name is one of the last to be engraved in the senior walk. He was a proud member and former usher of Family Church and had worked at the Arkansas Department of Correction 28 years, retiring in 2012, as a Major Disciplinary Hearing Officer, commonly referred to as The Colonel. Prior to this, he worked for the Ben Pearson Company in their cotton picker division for several years. He also worked as a stock manager for United Dollar Stores in Mississippi, Oklahoma and Arkansas. He also worked for Magic Mart Stores and managed Mad Butcher Supermarkets in Monticello, Bald Knob and Pine Bluff. He had been a member of 212th Signal Corp Battalion. Survivors include his wife, Sharon Fletcher Blankenship, whom he married January 1, 1998, in Thorn Crown Chapel, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas; twin son and daughter, John Blankenship of White Hall and Vicki Brannon of Pine Bluff; daughter, Dana Hesington (Brady); son, Wayne Blankenship (Amber) of White Hall; former wife, Lois A. Blankenship; step-daughters, Danette Russell (Andrew) of Dallas, Texas, Jill Fields (Scott) of McRae, Stephanie Crawford (Monty) of El Dorado; step-son, James Glover (Jennie) of Pine Bluff. Proud grandpa of Chad Blankenship, Megan Cartwright, Garrett and Taylor Dutton, Jacob, Caleb, Gabe, and Samuel Hesington, Daelynn Baughman, Danielle Crossett, Brettlynn and Tyler Blankenship, F'Lar Ausburn, Draven and Trinity Fields, Lorin, Clair, and Nate Russell, Sierra, Jacob, and Danielle Glover, Autumn and River Fields, Josh Harpole, Brittany Riley and great-granddaughter, Emily. Memorial services are planned Thursday April 2, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. at Family Church with Pastor Stephen Harrison officiating. Cremation arrangements are by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. Memorials may take the form of contributions to Family Church, 2500 Highway 104, White Hall, Arkansas 71602.