Herbert Lee Blankenship, Sr.

Herbert Lee Blankenship, Sr., 82, of Pfafftown passed on from this life on the morning of Friday, January 15, 2016 in Winston-Salem, NC. He was born in Danville, VA, to Willard T. Blankenship and Mattie Ocie Collie Blankenship on June 5, 1933. There, he and his brother, Harvey, helped work on their family's tobacco farm while attending local schools. He left enrollment at Dan River High School in 1952 to enlist in the Air Force during the Korean War and proudly served his country for 4 years, including a deployment to Puerto Rico that began his fondness for Hispanic music and dance, and which was often the subject of stories around the dinner table. Herb returned to Danville after his time in the Air Force where he earned his GED and quickly enrolled in the engineering program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Go Hokies!). It was during that time that he also married a hometown girl, Ann Marie Kapps, on November 21, 1956, at her parents' home in Winston-Salem, NC. They had three children together and lived in Greensboro, NC, and Lima, Ohio, before settling in Pfafftown, North Carolina. As an industrial engineer he worked for Westinghouse, AMP, Inc., and then finally at the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company where he retired after 20 years of service. He helped to design the Central Distribution Center which served as the main break-of-bulk point for its operations in Winston-Salem. Herb & Ann were virtually inseparable for their 59 years of marriage. They spent summers with their family at Smith Mountain Lake, fishing, boating, skiing, camping, and more fishing. Together they spent many years and countless hours working with the Masonic Fraternity. Herb was a 50-year member and a life member of Old Town Lodge #751, A. F. & A. M., where he most enjoyed working as a coach with new members. He served as Master of the Lodge and as Worthy Patron of Old Town Chapter #355, Order of the Eastern Star, both during the years 1992-1993. His work with these two groups is simply too much to list, but Brother Herb had a strong reputation as a hard worker who didn't ask anyone to do more than what he was doing himself. Herb was also a Shriner who truly enjoyed all of the years he spent fundraising and advocating for the Shriner's Children's Hospital in South Carolina. He served Oasis Temple as Potentate in 1993 (TWC in '93!), traveling extensively across North and South Carolina during all of his Masonic work. This meant he knew the roads ""like the back of his hand"" and he was always taking a short cut or telling his family a better route to the next destination. We generally just tried to let him drive. Herb and Ann also served together for 20 years on the Advisory Board of Winston-Salem Assembly #37, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Hundreds of girls across the state of North Carolina knew and loved Mr. Herb. He ushered at many state events, taught more than a few how to dance following a lead, and gave just the best hugs in the world, every moment of it with a smile on his face. Herb was also instrumental in re-chartering the Winston-Salem DeMolay Chapter in the 1990s where his son, Lee, had been a member in the 1970s and where his grandson, Justin, also became a member. He was also a long-time member of Old Town Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. Regardless of the day or location, Herb could always be counted on to offer a listening ear along with fatherly counsel that was tempered with incredible patience. He rarely raised his voice. Disappointment was communicated only with a few shakes of the head and a shrug, but he was just as likely to give a pat on the back and a ""do better next time."" He had a deep faith in God that was part of almost every conversation he had. Herb was often called upon to offer prayers at events and he always knew just what to say, offering humble gratitude for the blessings in his life and always asking for God's guidance in his life and in the lives of others. What a blessing he was to all who knew him and who loved him. He will be so missed but also remembered with the joy that comes with witnessing a life well-lived. Herb is survived by his loving wife, Ann; his children Susan Dale Blankenship Baker (Winston-Salem), Ann Elizabeth Overby Adkins (King), and H. Lee Blankenship, Jr. (King); grandchildren Jeremy Lane (King), Christy Leigh Blankenship (Raleigh), and Justin Lee Overby (Winston-Salem); and great-grandchildren Gage Lane (Tobaccoville), Hayden Lane (Yadkinville), Camden Meredith (Germanton), Fox Zemler (Raleigh), Silas Lane (Germanton), Tucker Overby (Winston-Salem), and Felix Zemler (Raleigh). The family will receive visitors on Sunday, January 17, 6-8pm at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home in Rural Hall. The funeral service will be held on Monday, January 18 at 2pm at Old Town Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. Burial will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park. Memorials in his name can be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605; or another charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

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