James Leonard Blankenship, 80, of 1761 Shiloh Road, Lafayette, Tn., passed away Friday May 3, 2002, at Macon County General Hospital in Lafayette, Tn. He was born October 23, 1921 in Macon County, TN, a son of the late Harmon Blankenship and Idell Scott Blankenship. He was a United States Army Veteran, a retired farmer, and a member of Haysville Missionary Baptist Church. On November 10, 1944, he was united in marriage to Lorine C. Hale Blankenship, who survives.

Survivors besides his wife of over 57 years include a son, Thomas Blankenship, Lafayette; brother, Ben Blankenship, Paulding, Ohio; 4 sisters, Lois Lawson, Franklin, Ky., Katherine Jenkins and Irene Brooks, both of Lafayette, Tn., Velva Glastine (Sis) Dixon, Orlinda, Tn., one grandson and two great-grandsons. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by 3 grandsons, Ricky, Terry L., and Charles L. Blankenship; a brother, Delbert Blankenship; a sister, Lona Faye Blankenship; and a daughter-in-law, Deloris Blankenship.

Funeral services for James Leonard Blankenship were conducted Sunday May 5, 2002 at Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette, Tn. with Eld. Thomas Earl Roark officiating. Burial was in Akersville Cemetery in Monroe County, Ky. Pallbearers were Robin Blankenship, Cody Blankenship, Jerry Harper, Barry Harper, Tony Harper, Larry Likens, and Chester Dixon.

Alexander Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette, TN was in charge of the arrangements.