George William Blankenship

Asheville George William Blankenship, 62, of 21 Vanderbilt Terrace, passed away Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals following a brief illness. A native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he retired with 30 years of service with the Biltmore Estate, and was currently employed as a security guard with the WNC Farmers Market. He was a veteran of the US Army. Mr. Blankenship was the son of the late William Clayton and Marion McCurry Blankenship. He was also preceded in death a brother, Charles James Blankenship, formerly of Asheville. Surviving are his wife of 40 years, Gloria Cole Blankenship, of the home; son, Kevin W. Blankenship and wife Kelley of Candler; grandson, Jacob William Blankenship of Candler; sisters: Helen B. Ayers of Candler, Donna K. Smith of Candler, Marion Patricia Patty Harris of Enka, and Doris Anne Burbage of Bath, NC; brother, Fred David Blankenship of Leicester; and several nieces, nephews, and great-nephews. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, with the Rev. Willie Warren officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-9 PM Friday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Owen Heart Tower, c/o Mission Hospitals, 509 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801.