James O. Blankenship, 75, of Lafayette, Tennessee, passed away Friday, November 25, 2005 at Knollwood Manor in Lafayette, Tennessee. The Macon County, Tennessee native was born Tuesday, March 25, 1930, a son of the late James Odell Blankenship and Ruby Renee Roberts Blankenship. He was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, a retired business owner, and a former associate at the Lafayette Wal-Mart.

He is survived by a son, Michael Blankenship, of Lafayette, TN; 3 daughters and sons-in-law, Diana and Jerry Carter, of the Cold Springs Community; Pat and Ricky Andrews, of Lafayette, TN; Pamela and Keith Whitley, Pulaski, TN; a brother, Joe Blankenship, Gallatin, TN; a sister and brother-in-law, Mizelle and Lloyd Driver, of Lafayette, TN; 11 grandchildren, Marty Blankenship, Christy Jones, Anthony Carter, Tim Carter, Derrick Carter, Brandon Carter, Patrick Coley, Danita Coley, Michael White, Monica Whitley, and Melaina Whitley; 2 step-grandchildren, Jessica Andrews and Jordan Andrews; and 8 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a grandson, Mark Allen Blankenship.

Funeral services for James O. Blankenship were conducted at 11 AM Monday, Nov. 28, 2005 at Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette with Eld. Dean Dyer officiating. Burial was in Macon County Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were grandsons and great-grandsons.

Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette in charge of arrangements.