James Charles "Sonny" Blankenship

James C. “Sonny” Blankenship, born January 16, 1933, in Lake City to the late Richard and Flossie Blankenship, passed away October 22, 2021, at the age of 88 at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years; Loretta Davis Blankenship; the grandparents that raised him, Minnie and Homer Pace; and one grandson, Marc Evan Despain.

He is survived by two daughters, Tana (Lonnie) Wright of Lake City and Mandy (Kevin) Turman of Edmond, OK; one granddaughter, Jacquelyn (John) Henley of Cherry Valley; two grandsons, Alex (Jennifer) Turman, and Austin Turman both of Houston, TX; five great grandchildren, Kara Henley, Luke Henley, Zacary Despain, Blake Despain, and Katie Turman; two half-sisters, Kay Turner, and Linda (Bob) Canion; and several nieces and nephews.

Sonny was a graduate of Lake City High School in 1951 and proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He retired from ASU in 1995 and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Lake City. He was a Mason of the Lake City Masonic Lodge as well. Sonny enjoyed hunting, fishing, and loved the St. Louis Cardinals but was disgusted with the pitching staff.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., October 24, 2021, at Jonesboro Memorial Park with Jerry Reed officiating. Active pallbearers will include Kevin Turman, Lonnie Wright, Alex Turman, Austin Turman, George Wright, and Ted Walker. Honorary pallbearers include Stanley Bowman and Jim Bowman.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked to please consider donations to the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E Matthews Ave, Jonesboro, AR 72401.

The family also wants to thank all the staff at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House for all the long and countless hours they spent with Sonny making sure he was comfortable. Also the family would like to express their gratitude and love to Heather Smith, FNP for taking such good care of him for the past year.