Boyd Blankenship

Asheville Boyd Blankenship, 85, went home to be with his Lord Monday, July 4, 2016, at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals. A native of Madison County, Mr. Blankenship had resided in Buncombe County for the past 64 years. He was a graduate of Nashville Auto Diesel College, and retired in 1996 from Carolina Truck and Body as a Certified Master Mechanic. Mr. Blankenship served as a radio operator in the Signal Corps of the US Army, having been stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He was a very active member of Asheville First Church of the Nazarene, serving on the church board, choir member, Sunday School superintendant, greeter, mens ministry, personal evangelism, church prayer ministry, and oversaw the maintenance of the church vehicles. Mr. Blankenship was the son of the late Mack Conley and Kitty Mae Wyatt Blankenship. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Charles and Johnny Clyde Blankenship, and a sister, Edna Robinson Hughes. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Irene Grindstaff Blankenship, whom he married December 26, 1951; children: Rev. Michael Boyd Blankenship (Susan) of Summerville, SC, Corwyn Timothy Blankenship (Cynthia) of Asheville, Rev. Brian Eugene Blankenship (Sherri) of Lilbourn, MO, and Karen Nanette Peek (Tim) of Mars Hill; grandchildren: Jared Blankenship (Holly), Jenna Boren (Luke), Brandon Blankenship (Sara), Kylie Blankenship, Kara Haydel (George), and Kelsi Blankenship; great-grandchildren: Karis and Ian Blankenship, C.C. and Penelope Boren, and Greyson Blankenship; sisters: Edith Franklin of Weaverville, Alma Toms of Asheville, Shelby Jean Lloyd (Dallas) of Erwin, TN, and Mildred Winders (William) of Flag Pond, TN; brother, David Blankenship (Dee) of Flag Pond, TN; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday at the Asheville First Church of the Nazarene, with the Rev. Andrew Crimmins, Rev. Michael Blankenship and Rev. Brian Blankenship officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Pisgah View Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12:30 1:45 PM Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Asheville First Church of the Nazarene, 385 Hazel Mill Road, Asheville, NC 28806. He loved his Lord, his family, and his church, and was a friend to all. Anders-Rice Funeral Home is assisting the Blankenship family.