Freddie Lee Blankenship, Sr.

Freddie L. Blankenship, Sr., age 76, of Cleveland passed away at a family home in Maryville, TN, on Friday morning, November 17, 2017.  He was a native of Radford, Virginia and spent over 20 years in Orlando, FL, before moving to Cleveland in 2003.  He was a retired veteran of the U.S. Army serving in Vietnam.  His passions in life were camping, collecting coins, and most of all, spending time with his family. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Daultie Blankenship and Lessie Reed Blankenship; brothers, Richard, Glen, Harold, Daultie, Jr., Herman, and two infant brothers; and grandson Kristopher Blankenship.

He is survived by his children, Rosemarie Baez, of Jacksonville, FL, Barbara Ann Blankenship of Maryville, TN, Andrea Jones and husband David Jones of Cleveland, Sandra Hutcheson and husband Dr. Ricky Hutcheson of Cleveland, Lessie Blankenship of Cleveland, Freddie Blankenship of Orlando, FL, and Robert Kehler Blankenship of Cleveland; 13 grandchildren, Sean Baez, Stephanie Baez, Sabrina Baez, LaShanda Blankenship, Brandi Marcrom, Amanda Pope, Kirstin Hitch, Samantha Hutcheson McClary, Jacob Hutcheson, Clayton Blankenship, Hannah Blankenship, Lucas Duncil, and Delilah Blankenship; 14 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Family and friends will meet at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and proceed to the Chattanooga National Cemetery for the 10:30 a.m. committal service.  Full military honors and a white dove release ceremony will conclude the service.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Blount County Volunteer Emergency Services.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Blankenship guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.