Margaret Blankenship

April 29, 1928 - August 25, 2019

BEESON – Margaret Blankenship, 91, of Beeson, died Sunday, August 25, 2019. Born April 29, 1928 in Beeson, she was the daughter of the late Zeather Vaughan and Gladys Walker Vaughan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, James “Estil” Blankenship. Mrs. Blankenship was a 1945 graduate of Matoaka High School and a 1960 graduate of Little French Beauty Academy in Bluefield. She was a former employee of Robert’s Beauty Salon in Princeton and was the owner/operator of Margaret’s Beauty Shop on Beeson Road from 1969-1983. She was a former member of Matoaka United Methodist Church. Margaret was a former member of the Appalachian Artists Association having painted more than 100 oils. She was also a member of the Farm Women’s Club of Pinaok. Margaret was an avid WVU fan and enjoyed her winters in Satellite Beach, Florida where she had many friends from various states. She enjoyed gardening and starting her plants as well as multiple flowers. In her leisure time, she enjoyed scrapbooking and watching wildlife, especially deer and birds. Survivors include daughter, Connie Murphy and husband Stephen of Ashburn, VA; sons, Norman Blankenship and wife Peggy of Wytheville, VA and Joel Blankenship and wife Carolyn of Lashmeet; sister, Kay Sanders and husband Ed of Lexington, KY; brother, Ralph Vaughan of So. Point, OH; 10 grandchildren, Angela Rose and husband Terry, Rhonda Scott and husband Mark, Beth Hampton and husband William, Kristie Raulerson and husband Mark, Lori Jones and husband Dusty, Sara Barrett and husband Taylor, Monica Murphy, Mandy Mattingly and husband Josh, Josh Murphy and wife Nikki, and Zach Murphy; 16 great-grandchildren; special cousins, Gale Shrewsbury and wife Rhona, Banna Lou Bivins and husband Jim, Garnet White and Janet Walker; extended family, the Kermit and Sue Bailey family: Dwayne, Libby, David and their families; and special friends Reba and Paul Strasko and Priscilla Laxton. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 31, 2019 at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with Rev. David Damewood officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park in Princeton. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Blankenship’s name to the American Cancer Society. The family will receive friends Friday, August 30, 2019 from 6-8 p.m. at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. To view a video tribute to Mrs. Blankenship, or share condolences with the family, please visit www.bailey-kirk.com.