Person Page - 2260

     Mildred Carolyn Blankenship was buried at Basham Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Drewerys Hill Road, Stewartsville, Bedford Co., Virginia.^8,3 She was born on June 10, 1947 at Roanoke, Virginia.^8,4,5 As of January 15, 1966,her married name was Gresham.⁴ She married Edgar Russell "Sonny" Gresham III on January 15, 1966 at Bedford Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4,9 Mildred Carolyn Blankenship died on February 8, 2011 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 63.^8,3,10 She Carolyn Blankenship Gresham, 63, of Goodview, Va., went home on Tuesday, February 8, 2011. She was preceded in death by parents, Woodrow and Annie Maye Blankenship; and grandson, Henry Christopher Hancock. Carolyn was a devoted wife, momma, and nana/grandma. Family was always first and she always emphasized the importance of family in her life. She touched the hearts of everyone she met, including all the children she kept, the children she taught in Sunday school and all her family and friends. Teaching and sharing God's word was very important to her. She was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church of Bedford, Va. She had a love of music and enjoyed many years singing in the church choir. Survivors are her husband of 45 years, E.R. Gresham III; children, the Rev. E. Russell Gresham IV and wife, Christy T. Gresham, Joyce G. Hancock and husband, Christopher N. Hancock, and Kevin R. Gresham and wife, Kimberly A. Gresham; grandchildren, Eryn Ruth Gresham, Dylan Christopher Hancock, and Lenae Nicole King; siblings, Woody Blankenship and wife, Sharon, Phyllis Witt and husband, Carl, the late Allen Blankenship and wife, Judy, Roy Blankenship and wife, Gail, Mary Alice Colwell and husband, The Rev. Dr. Rob, and David Blankenship and wife, Laura; and numerous nieces and nephews. Burial will follow in the Basham Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. on February 10, 2011.³

     Edgar Russell "Sonny" Gresham III Edgar Russell (Sonny) Gresham III, 78, of Goodview, Va., passed away on Friday, January 26, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Russell Gresham Jr. and Ruth Goodwin Gresham; his wife of 45 years, Carolyn Blankenship Gresham; his sister Bettye J. Haupt; and his grandson, Henry Christopher Hancock. Survivors include his children, E. Russell Gresham IV and Christy of Bassett, Joyce Hancock and Chris of Roanoke, and Kevin Gresham of Goodview; grandchildren, Lenae, Eryn, Dylan and Gavin; great-grandchildren, Alexander and Thomas; brothers, Jim Gresham and Judy of Salem and Van Gresham and Barbara of Salem; brother-in-law, Bob Haupt of Salem; special family friend, Dawn Cox and son, Justin A. Cox; and many other nieces, nephews and extended family. Thanks to the staff of Berkshire Health and Rehab for their care of Sonny over the last year and to the wonderful support of Heartland Hospice this last week. Sonny was a 30-year veteran of the United States Naval Reserve Construction Battalion where he retired as Chief Petty Officer in 1990. In 2005 he retired as HVAC Manager for APB Whiting Oil after 25 years. Sonny was a lifelong Methodist and was a member at Main Street United Methodist Church in Bedford, Va. He believed in duty to God and Country, but the great love of his life was his family.⁶ He was born on January 9, 1940 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^4,5 He married Mildred Carolyn Blankenship, daughter of Woodrow Blankenship Sr. and Annie May Palmer, on January 15, 1966 at Bedford Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4,6 Edgar Russell "Sonny" Gresham III died on January 26, 2018 at Virginia at age 78.⁶

     His Social Security Number was 228-70-6631.¹⁰ Allen Ray Blankenship was buried at Mountain View Cemetery, 1300 Mountain View Road, Vinton, Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁴ He was born on May 4, 1949 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^10,5,6 He married Judy Ann Gray on August 9, 1968 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^6,7 Allen Ray Blankenship died on February 6, 2009 at Goodview, Bedford Co., Virginia, at age 59.^4,10 He Allen Ray Blankenship, of Goodview, Va., passed away Friday, February 6, 2009. He was preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Mae Blankenship; a daughter, Angel; and two sons, Allen Blankenship Jr. and Anthony Dwayne Blankenship. He is survived by his wife, Judy, of 40 years; three brothers, Woody Jr. (Sharon), Midlothian, Roy (Gail), Alabama, and David (Laura), Evington; three sisters, Phyllis Tuck, Bedford, Carolyn Gresham (Sonny), Goodview, and Mary Alice Colwell (Robin), Thaxton; his brothers-in-law, Jerry Gray (Keena), Roanoke, Ricky Gray, Big Stone Gap, Shelby Gray (Hope), Roanoke; sisters-in-law, Nancy Livingston (Aaron), Tenn., Bonnie Lowe, Roanoke; several cousins, nieces and nephews; special friends, Tony and Chasity Garcia, little Tony and Victoria, Jimmy and Sam, and Robin White. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. on February 8, 2009.⁴

     Judy Ann Gray Judy Ann Blankenship, aged 75, of Goodview, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on January 4, 2026. Born on April 25, 1950, Judy lived a life filled with passion and creativity. She was a beloved wife, sister, and friend, who cherished her family deeply. Judy's love for bowling was a defining aspect of her life. As a bowling instructor and league coordinator at Vinton Bowling, she dedicated herself to sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for the game, inspiring countless individuals to discover the joys of bowling. Beyond her passion for bowling, Judy was an avid painter, embracing the beauty of rustic cabins and serene landscapes. She also had a deep appreciation for music, delighting in playing the keyboard, where her rendition of "Unchained Melody" and other pop ballads brought joy to those around her. Judy is survived by her loving husband, Jason Muehlendyck; siblings, Jerry Gray and Shelby Gray; her nephew, Anthony Gray; nieces, Melissa Havens, Tracy Coffman, Lori Patton, Jackie Gray, and Suzane Beckner; her special daughter, Chastity Garcia; and her special grandchildren, Antonio Jr., Victoria, Saulo, and Lucina. She is also survived by countless great-nieces, great-nephews, and cherished friends. Judy was preceded in death by her first husband, Allen Ray Blankenship; her daughter, Angela Renee Blankenship; her parents, Jack Leonard Gray and Nellie Corin King; and her siblings, Ricky Gray, Bonnie Gray, and Nancy Karnes. The family will hold a graveside service at Mountain View Cemetery.⁴ She was buried at Mountain View Cemetery, 1300 Mountain View Road, Vinton, Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁴ She was born on April 25, 1950 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,3,4 As of August 9, 1968,her married name was Blankenship.² She married Allen Ray Blankenship, son of Woodrow Blankenship Sr. and Annie May Palmer, on August 9, 1968 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,4 Judy Ann Gray died on January 4, 2026 at Virginia at age 75.⁴

     Her Social Security Number was 237-42-3723.⁵ Effie Mae Cunningham was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Mebane, Orange Co., North Carolina.⁶ She was born on December 13, 1915 at Vinton, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^5,7,3,6,4 As of December 21, 1935,her married name was Palmer.³ She married Brainard Thomas Palmer Sr., son of Ira Shelton Palmer and Rhoda Alice "Rodie" Blankenship, on December 21, 1935 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2,8,3 Effie Mae Cunningham died on October 9, 1983 at Orange Co., North Carolina, at age 67.^7,6

     His Social Security Number was 245-54-6008.¹¹ Brainard Thomas Palmer Jr. was buried at Chestnut Ridge United Methodist Church Cemetery, Orange Co., North Carolina.^3,12 He was born on January 21, 1938 at Cedar Grove, Orange Co., North Carolina.^11,12,4,5,10 He married Margie Belle Bunting on January 1, 1958 at Randolph Co., North Carolina.^2,13,3,12 Brainard Thomas Palmer Jr. died on September 15, 2006 at Efland, Orange Co., North Carolina, at age 68.^3,12,5 He Brainard Thomas Palmer, Jr., age 68, of 2316 Bushy Cook Road, Efland, died Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, at 12:10 a.m. at home. He was a native of Cedar Grove. Mr. Palmer was a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years. He was the son of the late Brainard Thomas Palmer Sr. and Effie Mae Cunningham Palmer. He is survived by his wife, Margie Bunting Palmer; one daughter, Melissa Palmer Connelly; two sons, Michael Thomas Palmer and Ricky Leon Palmer; and two grandchildren, Erica Danelle Palmer and Sean Thomas Connelly; and two sisters, Patricia Palmer Wilson and Shirley Palmer Woods. Graveside military rites will follow at Chestnut Ridge United Methodist Church Cemetery. on September 16, 2006.³

     Her Social Security Number was 239-56-2363.⁵ Margie Belle Bunting was buried at Chestnut Ridge United Methodist Church Cemetery, Orange Co., North Carolina.^2,3 She was born on June 11, 1940 at Randolph Co., North Carolina.^5,3,4 As of January 1, 1958,her married name was Palmer.¹ She married Brainard Thomas Palmer Jr., son of Brainard Thomas Palmer Sr. and Effie Mae Cunningham, on January 1, 1958 at Randolph Co., North Carolina.^1,2,6,3 Margie Belle Bunting died on January 15, 2008 at Efland, Orange Co., North Carolina, at age 67.^2,5,3 She Margie Bunting Palmer, 67, of 2316 Bushy Cook Road, died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008, at 7:45 a.m. at her home. Burial will be at Chestnut Ridge United Methodist Church cemetery. She was a loving mother, grandmother and sister. She was preceded in death by her husband, Brainard Palmer; and her father, Samuel Bunting. Surviving are daughter, Melissa Connelly and husband, Daniel, of Mebane; sons, Michael Palmer and wife, Cindy, of Mebane, Ricky Palmer and wife, Kelly, of Whitsett; mother, Clara Bunting of Asheboro; sisters, Sue Allen and husband, Larry, of Asheboro, Faye Austin and husband, Dewitt, of Asheboro, Pansy Harrington and husband, Barry, of Asheboro, Deb Murray and husband, Johnny, of Asheboro; brothers, Gene Bunting and wife, Nancy, of Asheboro, Bill Bunting and wife, Carolyn, of Asheboro; grandchildren, Erica Palmer of Creedmore and Sean Connelly of Mebane. on January 19, 2008.²

     Patricia Ann Palmer Patricia “Pat” Wilson, age 81, of Mebane died August 18, 2018 at her residence. A native of Orange County, she was born on January 11, 1937. She was the daughter of Brainard Thomas Palmer and Effie Cummingham, both deceased. She was first married to the late Truitt Lloyd for 18 years. Later she was married for 34 years to the late Jesse Wilson. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Mebane for 63 years and a member of the choir for 41 years. She loved to sew, quilt, gardening and planting flowers. She is survived by a daughter, Andrea Summers and husband Bob of Haw River; grandson, Jesse T. Summers and wife Sarah of Durham; sister, Shirley P. Wood of Burlington; nephews, Rodney Adams of Graham and Clint Wood and wife Emily of SC. In additions to her parents and two husbands, she was preceded in death by her brother, Brainard T. Palmer.⁵ Her married name was Wilson.⁵ She married Jesse Wilson.⁵ Patricia Ann Palmer was born on January 11, 1937 at Orange Co., North Carolina.^6,5 As of September 11, 1955,her married name was Lloyd.⁴ She married Elton Truitt Lloyd on September 11, 1955 at Alamance Co., North Carolina.^4,5 Patricia Ann Palmer and Elton Truitt Lloyd were divorced on November 7, 1975 at Alamance Co., North Carolina.⁷ Patricia Ann Palmer died on August 18, 2018 at Mebane, Orange Co., North Carolina, at age 81.⁵