78 year old Paul Bradley Blankenship of Smithville (Belk Community) died Thursday at his residence. He was founder and former owner of Bradley Printing, and a longtime employee of the Smithville Review. He was also a member of the Gideon’s and was a deacon of the New Union The Baptist Church since 1962 and a member for 66 years. The funeral will be Saturday at 1:00 pm. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Darrell Cantrell, Kenneth Brown, and Anthony Pelham will officiate and burial will be in the New Union Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.; Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reed and Mary Rankhorn Blankenship; a brother, Elzie Blankenship; and three sisters, Delma Wright, Nannie Wright, and Lola Griffin. Survivors include his wife, Geraldine Ray Blankenship of Smithville. Two daughters, Paula and her husband Danny Roller of Rock Island and Teresa and her husband Keith Turner of Maryville. Four grandchildren, Sarah and Mary Elizabeth Roller of Rock Island, and Allison and Daniel Turner of Maryville. One sister, Birdell Lentz of Smithville. His father-in-law, Burnice Ray of Smithville. And a brother-in-law, Grady and his wife Charlotte Ray of Smithville. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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