Blankenship, Douglas Edward

Douglas Edward Blankenship, 70, of Rich Creek, VA, shed his earthly pain and became absent from his body to be present with the Lord on October 10, 2023, surrounded by love, he earned his wings after a short battle with cancer. Doug was born on October 21, 1952, in Christiansburg, VA and was a son of the late Charles Edward Blankenship and Elsie Louise Jones Blankenship.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by 1 son, Dougie Blankenship, 1 sister, Patricia Stokes, 2 nephews, Jeffrey Farley and Billy Blankenship.

Doug was an U.S. Army Veteran and an avid car salesman. He loved and was loved fiercely by his family and friends. He will remain the brightest light in their lives as he lives now in their hearts. The last few years of Doug’s life were filled with joy, and he enjoyed the companionship and all the love he recieved from all the staff and residents at Heritage Hall in Rich Creek and the family will be forever grateful for that.

He is survived by 1 son, Brian Gale of Canton, MI, and his 2 children, Easton and Isabella Gale, Doug’s daughter, Angie Gale of Canton, MI, her daughter, Alana Gale, Doug’s daughter Dawn Rosecrans of Ypsilanti, MI, and her son, Ronnie, Doug’s bonus daughter, Jennifer Spicer of Narrows and her 2 boys, Caeden Crabtree and Jake Clendenin, 1 brother, Jeffery Blankenship of Narrows, 1 sister, Deborah Jean Blankenship (Carl) of FL.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 2pm at the Givens – Riffe funeral Chapel in Narrows with burial following in Angels Rest Cemetery in Narrows. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 – 8 pm. The family is being served by Givens – Riffe Funeral Service in Narrows, (540) 726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com.