Nellie Blankenship

"Granny" Nellie Francis (Dempsey) Blankenship graduated to heaven at 3:02 am Friday, October 25th, 2013 at age 85 after a brief illness. She passed peacefully at home in Zeigler with family at her side. While she will be miss beyond measure, we know she is in the arms of eternal joy and reunited with love ones gone before. She leaves behind a son, William Edward "Bill" Blankenship, daughter in law, Lois Blankenship, brother Bob Dempsey, 2 granddaughters, Lisa Davis and Cheryl Wyatt, 2 grandson in laws, Chad and Billy, 8 great gr children, Alyssa, Janelle, Sadie, Breanna, Shiane, Maggie, Erin and Miranda and 1 great great grand Son, Kayden and multitudes of extended family members and more friend than you could count. She was born Tioga West Virginia and also lived in New Mexico. She was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Payge, Lemon, Ed, and Pat, 2 sisters, Mildred and Hildred, her parents Ahart and Lula (Hanna) Dempsey, husband Charlie Blankenship, 1 son Ernest "Bucky" , baby daughter Karen and great grand baby, Devan. Wherever Granny lived her house was the hub. She enjoyed cooking for others and hospitality was her way of life. If you knew Nellie, you knew love, grace, danggood green chili, fun, fresh coffee and what it meant to have a listening friend. This was a woman who allowed things like full-fledged water fights to go on inside her house. She enjoyed treats with the children and her loving memory lives on in the hearts and tummies of many. Arrangements are being handled by Van Natta Funeral Home, 427 South Park, Herrin, IL