Robert Blankenship

Robert Lee "Bob" Blankenship, 82, of Colonial Heights, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, October 13, 2014. He was the son of the late Richard Neal and Edna Irby Blankenship and was preceded in death by his brothers, Richard Neal Blankenship Jr. and Thomas "Sugar" Blankenship. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Eloise Allen Blankenship; children, Robert Lee Blankenship II of East Bend, North Carolina, Allen Neal Blankenship and wife, Mary of Colonial Heights, Kathleen Elizabeth "Cookie" Blankenship of Chester, and Casey Irby Blankenship and wife, Brooke of Harrisonburg; a sister, Nancy Blankenship Simmons; grandchildren, Jason & Courtney Childers, Ashley, Brittany, Nicole, Macy & Casey II Blankenship, and Jonathan Ross; three great-grandchildren; his Godson, Charles "C.P." Simmons, Jr.; and numerous other family members. Mr. Blankenship was a United States Army Veteran. A 1949 graduate of P.H.S., he graduated from UVA School of Banking, and was retired from Wachovia as Vice President. He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, the Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, March of Dimes, Colonial Heights School Board and Vocational Tech Board, Colonial Heights American Legion Post #284, VFW Post #2239, B.P.O. Elks #237, Fraternal Order of Eagles #882, TPA, Circus Fans of American, and POGO. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 24, 2014 at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 3110 Greenwood Avenue, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834 with the Reverend Dr. Andy Brockelman and the Reverend James Blankenship officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 4240 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, Virginia 23058 or your local SPCA. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.