II Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Mrs. Marie Sliger Blankenship, age 87, Jonesborough, passed away Friday, April 27, 2012 at NHC Healthcare of Johnson City after an extended illness.

Mrs. Blankenship was a native of Washington County and daughter of the late Willard & Lora Dunn Sliger. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Blankenship was also preceded in death by her husband, Roy Blankenship, granddaughter, Kristi Rice, grandson, Justin Blankenship and great-grandson, Jackson Blankenship, sisters, Francis Byers and Wanda Bitner and brother, Roy Sliger.

She was of the Methodist faith and a member of Mayberry Community Church.

Mrs. Blankenship retired from Johnson City Medical Center.

Mrs. Blankenship loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing and going to church as long as her health allowed.

Survivors include a daughter, Ruth Rice, Jonesborough; a son, Larry Blankenship and wife Myra, Johnson City; she was lovingly called “Nina” by her grandchildren, Jeff Rice (Tiffany), Matt Blankenship (Angie), Larae Graves (Phil); great-grandchildren, Emma Claire and Kaylin Blankenship, Raegan and Wyatt Graves, Gage and Sydnee Duncan; brother, Orval Sliger and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the staff of NHC Healthcare for the loving care provided and to Caris Hospice for their care and support.

Funeral services will be conducted 8:00 pm Monday, April 30, 2012 at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home with Pastor Jeremy Dykes and Pastor Jake Herron officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm Monday prior to the service and other times at her residence.

Interment services will be conducted 11:00 am Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Mayberry-Vincent Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Jeff Rice, Matt Blankenship and Phil Graves, nephews, Rick Blankenship, Jerry Bitner, Mike Ferguson, Danny Adams and Wallace Hylton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mayberry Community Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Mayberry Community United Methodist Church, 897 Mayberry Rd., Jonesborough, TN 37659.