Obituary of Janie Phillips Blankenship

Janie Phillips Blankenship, 86 of Goode, passed away Friday, October 3, 2014 in the Medical Care Center. She was born March 8, 1928 in Bedford County, a daughter of the late John David Phillips and Mary Catherine Dooley Phillips. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Harold E. Blankenship, a daughter-in-law, Dale Reynolds Blankenship, a grandson, B. J. Blankenship & a great grandson, Jordan Parker. She was a retired employee of Sam Moore Furniture with 37 years service and was a member of Timber Ridge Baptist Church. She enjoyed camping, flowers, flea markets, but most of all, spending time with her children and their families. She enjoyed Sunday meals, cooking for her family and eating out every chance she got. She enjoyed sitting around a campfire listening to the bluegrass music that her children and grandchildren played. She was their # 1 fan and if possible was there to support them as they sang and played. She had many health issues including dialysis, diabetes, pacemaker, congestive heart failure & knee replacements...hospitals and rehab centers consumed much of her later years. These slowed her down, but she was a fighter and she continued to go and do as much as her body would allow. Most of all she enjoyed being a Mom to all who called her Mama and Granny. She was there for each of us, she was the hub of our family. She worked hard, lived through hard times, but no matter what happened, she was there for each of us in whatever way we needed her. Our circle is broken, our Mama has gone on to be with her beloved husband, Harold, who passed away in 2004. We have been blessed to have had these two to call Mama and Daddy. The past couple of years have been hard on Mama with health issues that seemed to have no end. She is now at peace, no longer suffering and is healthy again as she has entered Heaven, her new home. We will all miss her, but we have the assurance that we will be together again, "in the sweet by and by." She is survived by her daughter, Shirley B. Tinsley & husband, Lloyd of Goode; her sons, H. Junior Blankenship & friend, Jean Nichols, Billy L. Blankenship & wife, Janet all of Goode, Benny R. Blankenship, Jack D. Blankenship & wife, Becky, all of Bedford. She is also survived by her grandchildren, David Tinsley & wife, Michelle, Spencer Blankenship & wife, Bonnie, all of Bedford; Christy Tinsley, Jessica Zimmerman & husband, Shannon, all of Goode; Steven Blankenship & wife, Melissa of Lovettsville; Chad Parker & wife, Heidi of Colorado; Jason Blankenship & friend, Kasey Allamong of Evington; Michael Blankenship & fiancee, Ashley Skinner of Tempe, Arizona; Brian Yatsko & wife, Jennifer of Huddleston. She also leaves many great grandchildren, Anna & Emily Tinsley, Natalie, Timothy & Valerie Blankenship, Ashley Parker, Abbey Blankenship, Ty & Branson Zimmerman & Truitt Yatsko. The family request that those wishing to make memorials consider Bedford Ride, 1613 Oakwood Street, Bedford, VA 24253. A funeral service will be conducted from the graveside at Quaker Baptist Church Cemetery on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 11 AM with Rev. Phillip Kelley officiating. Friends may call Monday after 12 noon and the family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.