Riley Blankenship, Jr.

Riley Blankenship Jr. 86 years old of Bull Creek, WV gained his heavenly legs on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at LewisGale Hospital in Blacksburg, VA after a long illness.

Born October 29, 1936 in Long Branch, VA, he was the son of the late Riley Sr. and Virgie Blankenship and Stella (Cline) Coleman.

Other than his parents he was also preceded in death by his wife: Audrey Blankenship; son: Ronald Blankenship; and daughter: Sandra Dameron; siblings: Fred, Branson, VT, and Robin Blankenship, Ervin, Doug, and Josephine Coleman, Kathleen May, and Margie Lee.

Riley was known as Junior, daddy, and Pawpaw Riley. He loved finding somewhere to go every day, racing, welding, and making things out of metal, Bojangles, riding his four-wheeler and trike, gardening, talking with friends and family, and he told the best stories of his younger days. Most of all, he loved his family. He worked in the coal mines, served in the Army, was an over the road trucker, the owner of Riley’s Mobile Home Movers. He was a member of the Old Regular Baptist Church. He lived his life on his terms and will be greatly missed by all that loved him.

Those left to cherish his memories are his two sons: Johnnie (Dedra) Blankenship of Cleveland, NC and Larry Blankenship of Landis, NC; five grandchildren: Tanya Looney of Mt. Ulla NC, Jessica (Brad) McLain of Cleveland NC, Jacob Blankenship of Concord NC, Maddy Blankenship of Lexington NC, Landyn Blankenship of Mooresville NC; four great-grandchildren: Tyler and Blake Looney of Mt. Ulla NC and Grayson and Ryan McLain of Cleveland NC; brothers: Willie (Ruth) Coleman of Mohawk WV, and Bud (Kat) Coleman of Mohawk WV: sisters: Lexie Bailey of Panther WV, Juanita (Tommy) Jenkins of Mineral VA, Geraldine Estep of Flint MI.  He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews and other dear relatives and friends.

Friends may gather with the family Friday, March 3, 2023 after 6:00 pm at the Mt. Zion Old Regular Baptist Church at Bull Creek, with special service beginning at 7:00 pm.  Funeral services will commence there at the church on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 12:00 pm with Elders Danny Hurley, David Lester and Fred Bailey officiating.  Burial will follow in the Fred Lester Cemetery at Mohawk, WV.

Riley will be carried to his resting place by pallbearers: Larry and Johnnie Blankenship, Jacob Blankenship, Tyler Looney, Blake Looney and Brad McLain.

His wonderful smile and gentle heart will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to have known and loved him.

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