Charles James Blankenship

Asheville - Charles James Blankenship, 68, of 81 Stradley Mountain Road died and went to join his beloved grandson, Trent Hamilton, Sunday August 15, 2004 at his home after a brief illness. A native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he was a long time member of Bent Creek Baptist Church and had a fine singing voice and a loving and giving heart. He was a son of the late William C. and Marian McCurry Blankenship. Left to miss his love are his wife of 50 years, Edith Blankenship of the home; children, Rebecca B. Hamilton and husband Lt. Col. Russell Lamar Hamilton of Clarksville, TN., Gary Clayton Blankenship and wife Daphne of Candler and Denise B. McCoy and husband Terry K. McCoy of Candler; granddaughters, Christin Blankenship Austin and husband Jody, Katie Blankenship and Kara Blankenship: grandsons, Nicholas McCoy and Travis Hamilton. These fine people were his idea of his accomplishments in life. The summation of his life was simply: He Was A Good Man Also surviving are his sisters, Helen Sumner, Doris Burbage and husband Jimmy, Patty Harris and husband Mike and Donna Smith and husband Randy; brothers, Fred Blankenship and wife Nancy and George Blankenship and wife Gloria; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many prized friends. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at Bent Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Tommy Bridges officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9:00 P.M. Tuesday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to: Mt. Area Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC. 28813.