Florastene Conner Blankenship

Florastene Conner Blankenship, 93 of Salem, passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2013. She was born on December 12, 1919 in Floyd County, Virginia to the late Moses and Nettie Gay Conner. She enjoyed attending church, quilting, sewing, traveling, and was an avid reader. Above all, she will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Moyer Blankenship; son, John A. Blankenship, Sr.; grandson, John A. Blankenship, Jr.; brothers, Avon Conner and Loys Conner; and sisters, Madelene Cousins and Evadene Dockery. Family left to cherish her memory includes her son, Paul Blankenship and wife, Trudy; daughter, Helen Coleman and husband, Ivan; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 3, 2013 from 2 until 4 p.m. at the John M. Oakey & Son funeral home in Salem. A graveside service will be conducted on Monday, February 4, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Roanoke. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001. An online guestbook is available by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.