Julia F. Blankenship

Julia F. Blankenship, 101, of Rachel died Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at Fairmont General Hospital.  She was the last surviving member of the Strincosky family.  She was preceded in death by 8 brothers and sisters.

She was born January 4, 1910 in Grant Town, WV, a daughter of the late Pete and Eva Golumbeski Strincosky.   She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry A Blankenship, in 1959 and her son, Harry F. (Zip) Blankenship in 1997.

She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Mannington and was an active member of the Altar & Rosary Society until her age did not allow her to participate.  In her early years she was treasurer of the Rachel Water Committee and was a very active member of the Rachel Community Improvement Association.  She was always trying to help with improvements to her community.

After the death of her husband, at the age of 48, Julia learned how to drive and took a job as store clerk at Pollock’s General Store in Rachel.  She worked there for over 20 years and was well known by all the customers.

Julia was a hard worker who loved working in her flower and vegetable gardens.  She also loved making quilts and talked often about the early years of her marriage and her membership in the “Farm Women’s Club” when the members would gather at each other’s homes to quilt for the day.  Julia had made homemade quilts for each of her children and grandchildren.  She was also well known for the great cook that she was and her delicious homemade pies.

She was a loving mother and grandmother who was very proud of all her grandchildren and their families.  Holidays were always spent at “Grandma’s”.

She is survived by two children, Ronald and JoAnn Blankenship of Fairmont and Linda Blankenship of Rachel, and a daughter-in-law, Helen Blankenship of North Huntington, PA.  She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, James Blankenship, Susie (Pete) Garrison, Donna (Zeke) Davis all of Fairmont; Mary Ann (Mike) Sickles of Melbourne, Florida; Julie (Paul) Hayhurst of Rockledge, Florida; Sherry (Patrick) O’Mara of Clarksburg; George Brian (Becky Sarber) Blankenship of Harrison City, Pennsylvania; and Tina Blankenship of Rachel,  14 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews who loved visiting and spending time at “Aunt Ju’s”.

The family would like to thank the ER and ICU staff at Fairmont General Hospital for the care of their mother on her final day and a special “thank you” to Mary in ICU for her wonderful care and compassion in Julia’s final hours.  A very heartfelt “thank you” goes out to Sister Steven and the staff at St. Barbara’s for the wonderful care they took of Julia during the last 2 years.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Saint Barbara’s Memorial Nursing Home, P.O. Box 9066, Monongah, WV 26554.

Friends may call at Masters Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Mannington, WV on Friday, June 24, 2011 from 4-9:00 P.M.  The Rosary will be recited in the funeral home at 7:00 P.M.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Mannington with Reverend Douglas Sutton officiating.  Burial will follow at the Viewpoint Cemetery in Rachel, WV.  Serving as pallbearers will be James Blankenship, George Brian Blankenship, Pete Garrison, James “Zeke” Davis, Mike Sickle, Patrick O’Mara, Jack Shenal and Bobby Shenal. Online condolences may be left for the family at mastersfuneralhomewv.com.