​​​​​​​​Garriott Family Genealogy

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06-Luther "Pap" Eldridge Blankenship
Birth: 1 Apr 1877, VA
Death: 4 Apr 1962, Franklin Heights, Franklin Co, VA- age 87
Burial: 7 Apr 1962, Blankenship/Shoemaker Cemetery
Occupation: Carpenter [1920 census], or laborer [death certificate]
Father: Thomas Montague Blankenship

Marriage: 22 Dec 1895, Franklin Co, VA
Spouse: Nannie Sue Shoemaker
Birth: Sep 1877, Franklin Co, VA
Death: 10 Mar 1917, Redwood, Franklin Co, VA- age 39
Burial: 12 Mar 1917, Blankenship/Shoemaker Cemetery
Father: Isaac Jr Shoemaker (1820-1883)
Mother: Susan Jane Kennett (1860-)

     CHILDREN: Luther and Nannie had seven children:
07----MINNIE BLANKENSHIP [b. 17 Dec 1896, Franklin Co, VA; d. 21 Dec 1992, Rocky Mount, Franklin Co, VA- age 96, bur. 23 Dec 1992, Franklin Memorial Park Cemetery], m.
Hudie Albert THURMAN [b. 1892; d. 1968- age 76, bur. Franklin Memorial Park Cemetery], had four children:
     08----PAUL THURMAN [Franklin Park Memorial Cemetery records have a Buford Paul Thurman (1921-1982), (don't know if it's this guy];
     08----ALBERT ALLEN THURMAN [b. 13 Nov 1916, Franklin Co, VA; d. 23 Jan 1995- age 78, bur. Franklin Memorial Park Cemetery], SSN: 228-03-4990/VA, m.
Doris CAMPBELL [b. 16 Aug 1916, Franklin Co, VA; d. 19 Mar 1988, VA- age 71, bur. Franklin Memorial Park Cemetery], SSN: 228-46-0776/VA, she the daughter of Joseph A Campbell (1883-1965) and Mary Elizabeth Chitwood (1889-1969), had 4 children:

          09----NAOMI THURMAN [b. 1 Jun 1928, Franklin Co, VA; d. 2 Jan 2012, Collinsville, Henry Co, VA- age 83, bur. Roselawn Burial Park], m. Samuel Benjamin “Sam” CAMPBELL, Sr [b. 14 Aug 1918, Franklin Co, VA; d. 5 Aug 1981- age 62, bur. Roselawn Burial Park];
          09----RAVON THURMAN, who lived near the old homestead cabin of Thomas Montague Blankenship;  and
          09----JOEL B THURMAN [b. 1940; d. 1966- age 26, bur. Franklin Memorial Park Cemetery];

          09----GARRY DALE "Hillbilly" THURMAN [b. 1 Dec 1952, Franklin Co, VA; d. 20 Apr 2007, Snow Creek, Franklin Co, VA- age 54, cremated];

     08----GILES MONROE THURMAN [b. 19 Jul 1924; d. 4 Oct 1987- age 63, bur. Franklin Memorial Park];, m. Joan ARMSTRONG [b. 25 Dec 1925; d. 11 Jun 2004- age 78, bur. Franklin Memorial Park], she the daughter of Walter L and Mary E Armstrong; and

     08----NAOMI THURMAN [b. 1 Jun 1928, Franklin Co, VA; d. 2 Jan 2012, Collinsville, Henry Co, VA- age 84, bur. Roselawn Burial Park], m. 1st ___ ROSENBERRY??, m. 2nd Samuel Benjamin Sr "Sam" CAMPBELL [b. 14 Aug 1918, Franklin Co, VA; d. 5 Aug 1981- age 63, bur. Roselawn Burial Park], had four children; (see obituary)
          09----TERESA DALE" BLOSSOM" CAMPBELL;
          09----PATRICIA CAMPBELL, m.
___ SAUNDERS;
          09----KEAVIE CAMPBELL m.
___ HAIRFIELD; and
          09----SAMUEL B "MARK" CAMPBELL;
07----KENTON BLANKENSHIP [b. 24 Apr 1899, Franklin Co, VA; d. 29 Jul 1963, Ferrum, Franklin Co, VA- age 64, bur. 3 Aug 1963, St James Methodist Cemetery], a railroad worker, m. Cora L WOODS [b. 17 May 1893; d. 11 Aug 1979- age 86, bur. St James Methodist Cemetery] on 23 Sep 1920;
07----ADA BLANKENSHIP [b. 9 Apr 1902, Franklin Co, VA; d. 9 Oct 1993, Franklin Co, VA- age 91, bur. Oakwood Cemetery], SSN: 225-92-5190/VA, m.
John Henry Taswell THURMAN [b. 6 May 1882, Franklin Co, VA; d. 14 Jul 1945, Henry Co, VA: 14031/44- age 63, bur. Oakwood Cemetery], Furniture Worker, son of Giles M Thurman and Louella ___, had children:

     08----JOHN TASWELL THURMAN [b. 12 Nov 1916; d. 2 Dec 2006, Martinsville City, Henry Co, VA- age 90], SSN: 225-01-3840/VA, m. Beatrice Ruth HAWKS [b. about 1931, McDowell Co, WV] (her 2nd), daughter of William Taylor Hawks and Rilda Ellen Crotts on 20 May 1966, Martinsville, Henry Co, VA;

     08----ROBERT LEE THURMAN [b. 23 Mar 1918, Rocky Mount, Franklin Co, VA; d. 7 Mar 2005, Franklin Co, VA- age 86, bur. Roselawn Burial Park], SSN: 231-07-5482/VA, m. Foye Warren SHELTON [b. 1 Feb 1917; d. 14 Jan 2006- age 88, bur. Roselawn Burial Park], daughter of Orris Ouden Shelton and Annie Campbell, on 25 Dec 1941, Martinsville, Henry Co, VA;

     08----JESSIE DOUGLAS THURMAN [b. 29 Mar 1921, Henry Co, VA; d. 24 Sep 2010, Rockingham Co, NC- age 89, bur. Ridgeview Memorial Gardens], m. Cornelia Ward SMITH [b. 24 Dec 1913, Stokes Co, NC; d. 3 Nov 2002, Rockingham Co, NC- age 89, bur. Ridgeview Memorial Gardens], SSN: 231-09-9753/VA, daughter of Fletcher Morris Smith and Carrie Ester Ward, on 18 May 1940 Pittsylvania Co, VA: 20959/225, had children;

     08----EDNA MAE THURMAN [b. 13 Feb 1933, Henry Co, VA], m. Henry Lehman KEYS [b. 24 Dec 1932, Henry Co, VA], son of James William Keys and Virgie Ann Hopkins, on 8 Apr 1950, Martinsville, Henry Co, VA;​
07----HENRY BLANKENSHIP [b. 1903; d. 1974- age 71, bur. Franklin Memorial Park Cemetery], m.
Frances Lee FERGUSON [b. 11 Mar 1906; d. 2 Aug 1981, Martinsville City, VA- age 75, bur. Franklin Memorial Park], daughter of Benjamin Franklin Ferguson (1870-1933) and Mary Elizabeth Rakes Ferguson (1873–1940), had 8 children:
     08----GLADYS MILDRED BLANKENSHIP [b. 19 Jul 1923, Franklin Co, VA; d. 25 Mar 2001, Canton, Blaine Co, OK- age 77, bur. Franklin Memorial Park Cemetery], SSN: 443-38-6186/OK, m.
Zinnie Auorbay WADE [b. about 1914, Franklin Co, VA, son of HM Wade and Addie Woods, on 16 Mar 1940 Ferrum, Franklin Co, VA;], had children: (census)

     Gladys 2nd m. Everett Bailey PETERS son of Hayneous Peters and Virgie Sloan on 31 Mar 1972, Boones Mill, Franklin Co, VA.

     08----AUDREY KATE BLANKENSHIP [b. 1924; d. 1926- age 2, bur. Ferguson-Rakes cemetery];

     08----REID ALLEN BLANKENSHIP [b. 25 Aug 1926 Franklin Co, VA; d. 29 Nov 2008, Franklin Co, VA- age 82, bur. Saint James Cemetery], m. Dorothy WOODS [b. 3 Aug 1922, VA; d. 12 Apr 2008, VA- age 85, bur. Saint James Cemetery];

     08----JAMES RUSSELL BLANKENSHIP [b. 9 Jan 1929, Franklin Co, VA; d. 17 Feb 1929, Franklin Co, VA- age 1 mo, bur. Ferguson-Rakes Cemetery];​ ​

     08----DONALD LEE BLANKENSHIP [b. 25 Sep 1930, Franklin Co, VA; d. 2 Sep 2008- age 77, bur. Franklin Memorial Park Cemetery];

     08----BETTY M BLANKENSHIP [b. 14 Nov 1935, Franklin Co, VA; d. 17 Jul 2009, Patrick Co, VA -age 73, bur. Roselawn Burial Park], m. William Irving ROBERTSON [b. 13 Feb 1923; d. 8 May 1987- age 64, bur. Roselawn Burial Park]: (obituary below)

     08----NANCY J BLANKENSHIP [b. about 1939, Franklin Co, VA];​ and

     08----TOMMY AUBREY BLANKENSHIP [b. 16 Apr 1941; d. 21 Feb 1986. Rocky Mount, Franklin Co, VA- age 44, bur. Mountain View Memorial Park];

07----CLARENCE LUTHER BLANKENSHIP [b. 29 May 1905, Franklin Co, VA; d. 13 Jun 1981, Martinsville, Henry Co, VA- age 76, bur. Oakwood Cemetery], SSN: 226-10-8472/VA, m. Ida Mae WRIGHT [b. 17 Mar 1909; d. 4 Jan 2002- age 92, bur. Oakwood Cemetery]

on 30 May 1923, Franklin Co, VA, daughter of  John Robert Wright (18741920) and Carrie Elizabeth Fulk Hodges (1880-1950), had daughter:

     08----DOROTHY ELIZABETH BLANKENSHIP [b. 9 Mar 1926, Martinsville, Henry Co, VA; d. 12 Nov 2013, Martinsville City, VA- age 87, bur. Roselawn Burial Park];
07----JENNY MAY BLANKENSHIP [b. 7 May 1909, Franklin Co, VA; d. 2 Nov 1994, Roanoke, Roanoke Co, VA- age 85, bur. Sherwood Burial Park], m.
Jesse Franklin FERGUSON, had five children:
     08----JAMES FERGUSON;
     08----JACKIE BURRIS FERGUSON [b. 31 May 1936, Roanoke, VA; d. 6 May 1995- age 58]; SSN: 225-44-4278/VA;
     08----JOEY FERGUSON;

     08----JANE ELIZABETH FERGUSON [b. about 1944, Roanoke, VA], m. Kenneth Lee STEVENS [b. about 1939, Bedford Co, VA] on 13 Aug 1961, Roanoke, VA; and
     08----JERRY FRANKLIN FERGUSON [b. 19 Oct 1948, VA], m.
Teeinna Jane GRAY [b. 18 May 1952, VA], daughter of Junior Pierce Gray and Moncella Newman, on 28 Sep 1973, Roanoke, VA; 
07----RAYMOND "RAVON" LEE SR BLANKENSHIP [b. 5 Jul 1913, Franklin Co, VA; d. 16 Oct 1981, Franklin Heights, Franklin Co, VA- age 68, bur. Franklin Memorial Park Cemetery], SSN: 223-12-2080/VA, a Mechanic, Furniture Maker, m.
Mamie W WADE [b. 24 Aug 1914; d. 7 Jun 1977, Bedford, VA- age 62, bur. Franklin Memorial Park Cemetery], daughter of HM Wade and Allie W Woods, had three children:
     08----RAYMOND LEE JR BLANKENSHIP [b. 2 Dec 1937, Franklin Co, VA], m. 
Bernice Ann McBRIDE [b. about 1938, Rocky Mount, Franklin Co, VA] on 21 Dec 1957, Rocky Mount, Franklin Co, VA, divorced 13 Sep 2010, Franklin, VA, she the daughter of Bailey McBride and Lutie Ann Turner;​​
     08----ALLIE MAE BLANKENSHIP [b. about 1942, Rocky Mount, Franklin Co, VA] m.
Larry THOMPSON [b. about 1935, Matoaka, WV], Prod Clerk, son of Gilmer B Thompson Sr and Gertrude Wright, on 4 Nov 1960, Rocky Mount, Franklin Co, VA; and
     08----ROGER DALE BLANKENSHIP. A Roger Dale Blankenship [b. 1945; d. 1946, bur. General Blankenship Cemetery in Buchanan Co, VA-- some distance away, ???]

     CENSUS:
     1900 Gills Creek, Franklin Co, VA census: has (all b. VA) Luther Blankenship 23, Farm Laborer; Nannie Blankenship 22 (2 children-2 living); Minnie Blankenship 8; and Kenton Blankenship.
     Thomas Blankenship 65 is on this same census page.
     1910 Rocky Mount, Franklin Co, VA census: has (all b. VA) Luther Blankenship 37, Farmer-Gen Farm; Mannie Blankenship 30 (6 children-6 living); Minnie Blankenship 12; Kenton Blankenship 10, Laborer-Home Farm; Ada Blankenship 8; Henry Blankenship 6; Clarence Blankenship 4; and Jennie Blankenship 2.
     1920 Ferrum, Brown Hill Twp, Franklin Co, VA census: has (all b. VA) Kenton Blankenship 20, Laborer-Railroad (Boarder) in the household of John RL Wood 64, Laborer-Farm; Jerusa C Wood 52; and Cora L Wood 23 (his future wife).
     1930 Ferrum, Brown Hill Twp, Franklin Co, VA census:
 has (all b. VA) Henry Blankenship 27, Laborer-Railroad; Frances L Blankenship 24; G Mildred Blankenship 7; and Reid Allen Blankenship 3.​
     1930 Ferrum, Brown Hill Twp, Franklin Co, VA census: has (all b. VA) Kenton Blankenship 30, Laborer-Section RR; Cora L Blankenship 38; Grover L Blankenship 5; and Raymond L Blankenship 16 (Brother).
     1940 Ferrum, Brown Hill Twp, Franklin Co, VA census: has (all b. VA) Kenton Blankenship 39, Section Laborer-Steam Railway; Cora L Blankenship 46; and Grover Blankenship 15.
     1940 Ferrum, Brown Hill Twp, Franklin Co, VA census:
 has (all b. VA) Henry Blankenship 37, Section Laborer-Steam Railway; Frances L Blankenship 34; Reid A Blankenship 13; Doneld L Blankenship 9; Bettie M Blankenship 4; Nancy J Blankenship 1;

Finnie A wade 26, Radio & Frigadaire- Electrician (Son-in-Law); and G Mildred Wade 17 (Daughter).
     1940 Rocky Mount, Franklin Co, VA census: has (all b. VA) Raymond Blankinship 26, Black Track; Mamie Blankinship 25; and Raymond Blankinship L Jr 2.


     1995 OBITUARY: Jackie Burris Ferguson, 58, of Roanoke, whom was deeply loved and much respected, died early Saturday morning, May 6, 1995. He was taken to Community Hospital by the Williamson Road Rescue Squad. The family is very grateful for everyone that helped in every way. Mr Ferguson was born May 31, 1936, the son of the late Jessie F Ferguson and Jennie Blankenship Ferguson and was a native of Roanoke. 
     Jackie is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Mamie Rose Delp Ferguson of their Roanoke home and their three loving and devoted children, Larry Dean Ferguson and wife Rebecca and son Jeremy, Jackie Paul Ferguson and wife Vicki and their four children, Jackie Junior, Richard, Mark, and Crystal. His daughter is Lois Ann Ferguson. All the children and grandchildren reside in the Roanoke area. Also surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, James L and Chunja Ferguson, Newport News; a sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Kenneth Stevens, Vinton; brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Leeina Ferguson; brother Joey Ferguson, all of Roanoke; and several nieces and nephews. Also surviving is his father-in-law, Lloyd A. Delp, Fincastle, and a host of other relatives and friends. He was retired from Norfolk Southern Railway and had served many years with the U.S. Marine Reserves. 
     Funeral services will be conducted from the graveside, Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, at 11 am Tuesday with Elder Leonard Brammer and Elder WT Conner officiating. Friends may call after 9 am Monday at Oakey's North Chapel where the family will be from 7 to 9 pm Monday.
[Roanoke Times, May 7, 1995]


     2005 OBITUARY: The funeral for Robert Lee Thurman, 86, of Martinsville, who died Monday, March 7, 2005, at Memorial Hospital in Martinsville will be held at 2 pm Friday at McKee-Stone Chapel. The Revs Doby Salmons and Calvin Holdren will officiate. Burial will follow in Roselawn Burial Park. He was born in the Redwood community of Franklin County on Aug. 23, 1918, to John Thurman and Ada Blankenship Thurman. He retired from Ridgeway Clocks and was a member of Thomasson Heights Baptist Church.
     Surviving are his wife, Foye Shelton Thurman of the home; three daughters, Barbara T Williams of Ridgeway, Sandra Reeves of Marion, NC, and Mary Margaret Courson of Crossett, AR.; two sons, Warren Thurman of Spencer and Johnny Thurman of Ridgeway; three sisters, Katherine T Spencer and Edna T Keys, both of Martinsville, and Mamie T Ross of the Fork Mountain community of Franklin County; two brothers, Doug Thurman of Eden, NC, and Carnice Thurman of Martinsville; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
     The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7-8:30 pm today and other times at the home of Kim Savedge, 221 Rich Acres School Road, Martinsville.

[Martinsville Bulletin - Mar 10, 2005]


     2006 OBITUARY:  The funeral for Foye Shelton Thurman, 88, of Stuart, and formerly of Martinsville, who died Saturday, Jan 14, 2006, at Lazy Rest Adult Care in Stuart, will be held at 1 pm Wednesday at McKee-Stone Funeral Services. The Revs Doby Salmons and Sonny Reeves will officiate. Burial will be in Roselawn Burial Park. The family will receive friends at McKee-Stone Funeral Services from 7 to 8:30 pm today.
     She was born in Henry County on Feb 9, 1917, to Orris Ouden Shelton and Annie Campbell Shelton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lee Thurman; and two brothers, James O Shelton and Pete W Shelton.
     Surviving are daughters, Barbara T Williams of Ridgeway, Sandra Reeves of Marion, NC and Mary Margaret Courson of Crossett, AR; sons, Warren Thurman of Spencer and Johnny Thurman of Ridgeway; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

[Martinsville Bulletin - Jan 17, 2006]


     2009 OBITUARY: Betty B Robertson, 73, of 2284 Virginia/North Carolina Road, Spencer, died Friday, July 17, 2009, at Pioneer Community Hospital in Stuart. She was born Nov. 14, 1935, in Franklin County to Henry Blankenship and Frances Ferguson Blankenship. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Irvin Robertson; four brothers, Reed Blankenship, Donald Blankenship, Tommy Blankenship and James Russell Blankenship; and two sisters, Mildred Peters and Audrey Kate Blankenship.
     She was a self-employed hairdresser for over 23 years and was a member of Stanleytown Baptist Church.
     Surviving are three sons, Kenneth "Ken" D Robertson Sr and Kenneth "Kenny" D Robertson Jr (?), both of Bassett and Russell Dwayne Daniel of Spencer; two daughters, Freda Williams of Spencer and Rhonda Boyers-Tucker of Oak Ridge, NC; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Joyce Carol Leadbetter of Roanoke and Nancy Young of Maryland.
     The funeral will be at 2 pm Monday at Bassett Funeral Service with the Revs Brad Wilson and Ed Hartman officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Burial Park. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm today at the funeral home and other times at the home of her son Ken Robertson, 249 Dalewood Drive, Bassett. Memorials may be made to the Moorefield Store First Responder Unit, 0017 VA/NC Road, Spencer, VA. 24165 or to the Pug Rescue of North Carolina, PO Box 94, Summerfield, NC 27358.

[courtesy of findagrave.com & Shelly Kinsey Adams]

     2012 OBITUARY: Naomi T Campbell Died Monday, January 2, 2012. Daughter of Hudie Albert Thurman & Minnie Blankenship and the wife of Samuel Benjamin Campbell Sr.
     The funeral for Naomi T Campbell, 83, of 541 Belmont St, Collinsville, who died Jan 2, 2012, at her home, will be at 2 pm Thursday at Stone Memorial Christian Church in Collinsville with Ministers Tim Wood and Lawrence Harris officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Burial Park.
     The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm today at the church and other times at the home. She was born June 1, 1928, in Franklin County to Hudie Albert Thurman and Minnie Blankenship Thurman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Benjamin Campbell Sr; a daughter, Teresa Dale "Blossom" Campbell; and three brothers, Albert Thurman, Paul Thurman and Giles Thurman. She was of the Christian faith.
     Surviving are two daughters, Patricia Campbell Saunders of Surfside Beach, SC, and Keavie Snow Hairfield of Collinsville; a son, Samuel B "Mark" Campbell Jr of Surfside Beach; a sister, Nannie Kate Campbell of Redwood; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. Norris Funeral Services in Martinsville is in charge of arrangements. 

[Martinsville Bulletin, 4 Jan 2012 & findagrave.com]

     BIOGRAPHY: Luther was called Pap-- short for Pappy or Grandpappy. His death certificate lists his middle name as Eldridge, his occupation as laborer in a furniture factory, and birth date as 1 Apr 1875.
     James Montague Blankenship and his girlfriend Sally Chitwood were waiters at Luther's wedding. Although Minnie Therman claimed Luther and his wife, Nannie Shoemaker, were first cousins, marriage records show them to be second cousins. [Minnie Blankenship, daughter of Luther]
     Luther was a railroad man. In 1906??, according to Minnie, the railroad was going to close the section crew Luther was working and send the crew to Tennessee. They wanted Pap to move to Tennessee as the cook. Nannie wouldn't leave her mother because she knew she wouldn't live long. So she moved into Jenney's home place. [Minnie Blankenship, daughter of Luther]
     Luther didn't pay much attention to details, so the original home place was sold at public auction because no one paid the taxes.

[Giles Monroe Thurman]

     2ND MARRIAGE: Luther second married, on 1 Apr 1919, two years after the death of his first wife, Nannie, in Franklin Co, VA, a Lidia Bet SHUMATE [b. about 1879], a widow with six children, who had been married previously to Henry Chitwood.

     SWEET POTATOES: Pap would take his children, Minnie [then about 4 or 5 years old] and Kenton to Grandma "Jennies" every Sunday, while their mother, Nannie, would stay home and tend to "things" and to baby sister Ada. Grandma Jennie would give Aunt Bessie?? a washpan to get some sweet potatoes from the garden. The kids would wash them and Grandma Jennie and Pap would talk while they baked. They all ate "mashed" sweet potaotes and butter.

[Minnie Blankenship, daughter of Luther]