Jerry Ronald Blankenship , April 13, 1942 — August 29, 2018

Jerry Ronald Blankenship, 76, of Monroe, passed away Wednesday, August 29, 2018 surrounded by family at his residence. He was the husband of Rose Mary McFadden Blankenship for fifty-one years. Born April 13, 1942 in Rutherfordton County, NC, he was the son of the late Ray Gilkey Blankenship and Selma Graybeal Blankenship.

Jerry retired from Norfolk & Southern Railroad after thirty-seven years of service. In addition to his wife, Jerry is survived by a daughter, Jan L. Baker and husband Scott of Madison Heights; two brothers, John Blankenship and wife Mary of St. Augustine, FL and Jim Blankenship of St. Mary, GA and numerous nieces and nephews. Jerry lived life to the fullest outdoors.

He loved to be outside and his many interests included hunting, fishing, beekeeping, golf, and especially creating bountiful gardens teeming with more produce than his family and friends could eat. Upon retiring, his gardening expanded to growing grapes and making wine. Jerry had an inquisitive mind and loved to experiment just to see what could be done.

He was also a woodworking craftsman creating beautiful pieces of furniture and picture frames that his wife and daughter will enjoy for a lifetime. Jerry will be best remembered for his adventurous spirit, generous nature, sense of humor and big, easy smile. He had several special friends who were in many ways like family to him and the family would like to thank them for all of their loving support, especially through the last stages of his battle with cancer.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at Whitten Monelison Chapel in Madison Heights, Virginia on Sunday, September 2, 2018. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at McDowell Memorial Park in Marion, North Carolina under the direction of Beam Funeral Service, 2170 Rutherford Road, Marion, North Carolina 28752. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to your favorite charity.

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