Florastene Conner Blankenship, 93, of Salem, passed away on Thursday, January, 31, 2013. She was born December 12, 1919 in Floyd County, Virginia to the late Moses and Nettie Gay Conner. She enjoyed attending church, quillting, sewing, traveling, and was an avid reader. Above all, she will always 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 2 great great grandchildren. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 3, 2013 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the John M. Oakey & Son funeral home in Salem. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Brian Gordon, Pastor of First Evangelical Methodist Church on Monday, February 4, 2013 at the Mausoleum, 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 7 floor New York, NY 10001. An online guestbook is available by visiting johnmoakey.com.

Published Roanoke Times Obituary February 2-4, 2013
Oakey M. Oakey & Son Memory Card


Florastene Mae Conner married James Moyer Blankenship Ocober 14, 1943 Salem, Roanoke County, Virginia.Their children, John, Paul and Helen, hosted a 50th wedding anniversay surprise buffett dinner at First Evangelical Methodist Church in Salem, VA on October 09, 1993.

Blankenship anniversay, published notice
Roanoke Times October 1993