Mr. Paul Earnest Blankenship, age 74, Johnson City, previously of Charlem Hills Rd Jonesborough, passed away at his residence, 800 Huffine Rd, Johnson City, Saturday, January 11, 2014.

Mr. Blankenship was a native of Washington County TN, and the son of the late Roscoe and Margaret Lucille South Blankenship. He was also preceded in death by his wife Myrtle Phillips Blankenship two sisters, Mary Ellen Presnell and Alice Sherfey Littleton.

Mr. Blankenship was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Limestone, he also attended Telford Baptist Church, Telford and Church of Alive, Mt Juliet, TN

Mr. Blankenship retired from Jonesborough Street Department.

Survivors include one step-daughter, Shirley Bennett ( Verlin), step-son, Gene France; two brothers Daniel Blankenship, Johnson City, and James Blankenship ( Nancy), Chuckey, two sisters, Mabel Blankenship, Johnson City, and Bernice Ledford (Russell), Telford; five nieces and nephews, Sandra Crews (Dale), Shirley Housewright, Connie Sullivan (Shawn), Robert Ledford, David Blankenship, John and Paul Sherfey, twelve great-nieces and nephews, and several cousins.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 14, 2014 8:00 PM at Dillow-Taylor Funeral with Rev. Scott Armstrong officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00- 8:00 PM prior to the service and other times at the house of his niece Sandra Crews, 169 Atoll Way Jonesborough, TN.

Interment will be Wednesday, January 15, 2014, 10:00AM at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Telford. Pallbearers will be Verlin Bennett, Leroy Bennett, Mike McCracken, Greg Williams, William McKee and Jimmy Nease.