Connie Joe Blankenship passed away on Jan. 18, 2012, at the Houston House Nursing Facility in Houston, Mo.
Connie Joe was born to Albert (Joe) and Mable (Smith) Blankenship on July 9, 1944, in Houston, Mo. Connie was a special little guy to all who knew him, and to know him was to love him. He had such a big heart and was always ready to give a hug to everyone that he saw.
Connie grew up in the First Baptist Church in Houston where he loved his church family. He moved his membership to the First Baptist Church in Cabool after he and his mother moved to Cabool to live. After moving back to Houston, Connie went back to attending church at Houston where he was at home. Connie’s job for many years was to ring the church bell on Sunday mornings.
He attended Houston Elementary School thru the eighth grade. He was an avid walker and pushed his brother, Rex, in his wheel chair with Rusty, their dog, on Rex’s lap, many hours around Houston. After Rex passed away he continued to walk and could be seen just about anywhere around Houston. Connie also worked at the Sheltered Workshop in Houston for several years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Roger Lee and Donald Rex.
He is survived by his sister-in-law, Betty Blankenship, of Springfield; one aunt, Ethel Holliday, of Cabool; and cousins and many friends. He was a special cousin and taught us much about love and life even with his handicap. Connie will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Services were 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, at Evans Funeral Home with Wesley Wallace officiating. Pallbearers were Ron Craven, Dale Blankenship, Bill Hamilton, Harold Bennett, Wayne McKinney and Roger White. Burial was in Pine Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
The family respectfully requests that donations be made to Three Rivers Hospice, in his honor, in lieu of floral arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfh.com.
