Lydia Blankenship

Lydia Blankenship, age 76, of Abingdon, Va., and formerly of Hurley, Va., went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Born on June 24, 1948, she was the fifth of seven children born to the late Hobart and Pauline Blankenship in Hurley, Va.

Lydia dedicated 34 years to the Buchanan County School System, where she served as an elementary school teacher with a special focus on reading. Her commitment to education left a lasting impact on her students and the community. Lydia was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Cornelius Blankenship; three sisters, Leona Stacy and two additional sisters who died in infancy; as well as her son-in-law, Matthew Jones.

Lydia is survived by two daughters, Drema Morris and husband, Geoff, of Roan Mountain, Tenn. and Trish Jones of Abingdon, Va.; three siblings: Opal Blankenship of Pounding Mill, Va.; Joda Blankenship and wife, Debbie, of Hoover, Ala.; and Pam Stacy and husband, Ricky, of Tazewell, Va.; grandson, Christian Montgomery and wife, Meredith, of Elizabethton, Tenn.; three great grandchildren, who she called her “Little Women,” Celie Belle Montgomery, Harper Claire Montgomery, and Finley Laine Montgomery; and her shopping buddy and fellow plant enthusiast, Bettye Barrett Fields of Abingdon, Va.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Parkway Baptist Worship Center, 1253 Volunteer Pkwy., Bristol, TN 37620, with Pastor Ricky Stacy officiating.  Lydia's remains will be privately interred alongside her husband in Paynesville, W.Va.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at the church prior to the service.