Clara Blankenship

Clara Blankenship, 100, of Gentry, Arkansas, died February 20, 2008, at Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Born February 18, 1908 in Long Pine, Nebraska, she was the daughter of Walter Bruce Coe and Mary Lovelady Coe. She married Calvin Blankenship in Detroit in December, 1925. After moving to Troy, Michigan in 1939, she became active in civic and volunteer work. She was involved with the Mother's Club (elementary schools) Blue Star Mothers, Home Owner's Association, was the first woman in Troy to receive the "Book of Golden Deeds" awarded from the Exchange Club, was a charter and life member of the "Friends of the Troy Library", was appointed to the Library Board by the city commission, the library is now one of the largest in the area. The Children's Room was named in her honor. She was a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter #495, in Clawson, Michigan. She moved to this area in 1969, where Calvin and his father grew up. She again became busy with historical and genealogical research. She was a member of the N.W. Arkansas Branch of NLAPW, the Springtown Extension Homemakers, and a charter member of N.W. Arkansas Genealogical Society. She and Calvin collected information for the nine volume "Cemeteries of Benton County". She was a member of the Highfill Willing Workers, a charter member of James Bright Chapter NSDAR and was honored by them in 1995 for years of community service, a dual member of the Gentry #359 OES, she contributed historical, genealogical and current events to the Backtracker, BCHS magazine and local newspapers. She attended Springtown United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband Calvin (Burt); two daughters, Mary Patricia Blankenship and Barbara Blankenship; one son, Clarence Blankenship and his wife Virginia Rose Blankenship; and granddaughter Susan Savage. Survivors include seven grandchildren; Virginia Poehlman and husband Fred, Karen Blankenship, Barbara Weaver, Clarence "Butch" Blankenship, Jr., Roger Blankenship and wife Jennifer, Wendy Blankenship, and Timothy Savage; seven great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren. At her request, a private burial was at Centerton Cemetery, Centerton, Arkansas. Arrangements were under the direction of Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

Tributes

Clara Blankenship

February 18, 1908 - February 20, 2008