I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Clarence Clinton Blankenship, age 77, husband of Carol J. (Widener) Blankenship, was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven on Sunday, December 2, 2018, from his home in Hanover, WV, surrounded by family.

Born April 14, 1941, in Hanover, he was the son of the late Johnny and Lula (Paynter) Blankenship.

Clarence gave his life to the Lord in 1985, was an active member and Trustee of the Hanover Missionary Baptist Church, and a member of Masonic Lodge #148.

Always a creative and innovative thinker he was known as a problem solver and strongly believed all obstacles could be overcome with proper effort and never giving up.

He felt responsibility early in life as he began a successful mining career at the tender age of 14. Eventually becoming General Superintendent of Red Ash Coal Sales and then an entrepreneur in a variety of small businesses.

He valued family and loved spending time with his wife, siblings, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Clarence enjoyed interacting with friends at local race events, gardening, and all outdoor activity.

Along with his wife Carol, he is survived by daughter Teresa and husband Junior Maynard of Hanover, son Duane and wife Robin of Palm Beach, FL; three grandchildren, Kristin and husband Aaron Hatfield of Pineville, WV, Holly and Gage Blankenship of Morgantown, WV; two great granddaughters Jayna and Josie Hatfield of Pineville, WV; two brothers, Elzie (Rachel) Blankenship of Hanover and Ballard (Bessy) Blankenship of Ten Mile, TN; five sisters, Virgie (Mack) Profit, Rachel (Teddy) Morgan and Phyllis (Gary) Justice all of Hanover, Loretta (Jack) Riffe of Gastonia, NC, and Carol (the late Ray) Rose of Princeton, and many treasured nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by both parents and a sister Edith (Raymond) Justus of Welch, WV.

Friends may visit with family on Friday, December 6, 2018 from 6:00-9:00 PM at Fanning Funeral Home Chapel in Iaeger, WV. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 7, 2018 by Rev. Gary Justice and Rev. Jackie Lester in the Fanning Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Palm Memorial Gardens in Matheny, WV.

Clarence will be carried to his final resting place by: Gage Blankenship, Aaron Hatfield, Adam Cline, Keith Rose, Gehrig Justice, and Jody Shannon. Honorary pallbearers are Junior Maynard, Ted Thompson, Rick Browning, Jackie Hatfield, and Scotty King.

For us, he will live in our memory. For him, he will live abundantly with our Lord and Savior.