Ray Blankenship - Jonesboro

Ray Blankenship, 71, of Jonesboro died Tuesday, May 2, 2006, at his residence. He was born in Saltillo, Tenn., and lived in Jonesboro since 1994 coming from Blytheville. He was a retired route salesman for the Interstate Bakery and a member of the Walnut Street Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Ray and Grace Elizabeth Snodgrass Blankenship; two brothers, Robert Joseph Blankenship, Michael Blankenship; and a sister, Betty McCoy.

Survivors include his wife, Eunice Sanford Blankenship of the home; a son, Eddie Dee Blankenship and his wife, Connie, of Lake Charles, La.; a daughter, Lisa Binns and her husband, Marty, of Jonesboro; two sisters, Linda Sue Oakley of Nashville, Tenn., and Norma Ann Vanhoose of Saltillo, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Blue Blankenship, Ross Blankenship, Ramsey Blankenship, Kayla Binns, Rafe Binns.

The funeral was held at 10 a.m. Friday in the Emerson Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Glen Putman and Rev. Joe Thompson officiating. Burial was in the Jonesboro Memorial Park with Emerson Funeral Home of Jonesboro in charge.

Active pallbearers were Jim Ellis, David Deaton, Richard Bassett, Doug Davis, Jay Gamblin, and Solan Lott, Sr.

Honorary pallbearers were the 60 Plus Sunday School Class of the Walnut Street Baptist Church.

The family requests anyone wishing to leave a lasting memorial consider the Walnut Street Baptist Church Building Fund or the American Heart Association.

To sign online guest book, go to www.emersonfuneralhome.com.