Mr. James Edward “Jim” Blankenship, 67, of Shelby, NC passed away Sunday, October 17, 2010. A service celebrating the life of Mr. Blankenship will be held at Jim and Shirley’s home in Baptist Valley (North Tazewell, VA). 

Mr. Blankenship was preceded in death by his parents, Granville Edius and Verdie Jane Baldwin Blankenship.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Shirley Blankenship; 2 daughters, Kim Mitchell and husband Michael of Freeburg, Illinois, and Misti Hokerk and husband Darrin of Dallas, Texas; 4 brothers, Ronald, Donald, Danny and Ervin Blankenship; 1 sister, Ella Mae Webb; 2 granddaughters; and a special family friend, Kelly Sloan of Rutherfordton, NC.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory, Shelby, NC is serving the family.