Obituary of Dean Blankenship

Mrs. Dean Blankenship - age 72 of Lafayette, passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at the Macon County General Hospital in Lafayette. Funeral Services for Mrs. Dean Blankenship were conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. from the Alexander Funeral Home Chapel with Carlean Kirby and Jerry Mercer officiating. Tyler Blankenship, Todd Cliburn, Kole Cliburn, Joel Harris, and Christopher Harris served as Honorary Pallbearers. Mikie White, Greg White, Jerry White, Donnie Turner, Tony Turner, and David Turner served as Active Pallbearers. Interment followed in the Anderson Memorial Park. On January 3, 1940, Dean was born in Jackson County, Tennessee to Galie Keith and Altie Bilbrey Keith. Dean was one of eleven children born to this union. Besides her parents; Daughter, Connie Blankenship, sisters, Edith, Louise, and Helen, and brothers, Ray, Durrell, Dumas, and Burr, also preceded her in death. She was married to the love of her life, R.B. Blankenship on August 23, 1958. They shared fifty-three wonderful years together and had one son, Mark. Dean's family was what her life revolved around. There was nothing more important than spending time with her grandkids and great grandkids, Dean herself was a child at heart. She worked for twenty- plus years at Cathy's Florist in Lafayette arranging flowers. Dean enjoyed being a Florist and meeting the public. Everyone loved her big smile and fun personality. Dean had to retire after her health began to fail her. Dean was like most women, she enjoyed spending the day shopping. When Dean was at home, she enjoyed sitting back and watching ballgames on T.V., especially the Lady Vols. She was a member of the Lafayette Church of Christ. Dean will be greatly missed by family and all the many friends she had made over the years. Her eyes are now feasting on the beautiful flowers in Heaven. She is survived by; Husband, R. B. Blankenship, Son, Mark (Judy) Blankenship, Grandkids, Tyler Blankenship, Mendy (Todd) Cliburn, Joel (Teresa) Harris, Great-grandkids, Kole and Chloe Cliburn, Christopher and MaKayla Harris all of Lafayette, TN, Sister, Robbie Turner of Hendersonville, TN, Pauline "Dovie" Pemberton of Franklin, IN, and Betsy Keith of Akron, Ohio. Alexander Funeral Home, Directors, in charge of arrangements. (615)666-2189 or www.alexanderfh.com