Obituary of Alton Thomas Blankenship

Alton Thomas Blankenship, age 87, of Fairmont City, Illinois, formerly of Mt. Vernon, Texas, was born on October 30, 1930 in Miller, Oklahoma. He passed away on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at his residence.

On January 18, 1947, he married Frankie Earlene Taylor who preceded him in death, He was also preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Ella Mae Blankenship; three siblings, Wayne Blankenship, Waymon Blankenship and Deloris Giacolini and one great grandson, Landon Crosby.

He was a minister of the gospel for over 60 years, pastoring, evangelizing, and doing missions work both in the United States and in many other countries.

He is survived by his children, Sherri (Benny) Ferguson of Clarksville, TN, Leslie (Susan) Blankenship of Mt. Vernon, TX, Rhonda (Milton) Pool of Humble, TX, Phillip (Brenda) Blankenship of Mt. Vernon, TX, Beverly (Dennis) Stuart of Columbia, Mo, Perry (Debbie) Blankenship of Decatur, TX and Marley (Rocky) Steed of Winnsboro, TX.  He is also survived by 18 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren and one sister, Sue (Terry) Nelson of Sulphur Springs, TX. He is survived by his step-children, Steve (Rebecca) Petty of Collinsville, IL, David (Michelle) Petty of Oak Grove, AR, Linda (Mark) Anderson, of Maryville, IL, and Phillip (Shannon) Petty, Freeburg, Il. He is survived by 10 step-grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, February 7, 2018, visitation at 10 a.m., funeral at 11 a.m. at Lake Chapel Church, CR 2220, Talco, TX 75487, 6 miles north of Mt. Vernon on Highway 37. Services are under the direction of Sam Harvey Funeral Home, 409 North Kaufman Street, Mt. Vernon, TX 75457, 903-537-2232.