Kelsey Blankenship, age 87, of La Follette

Kelsey Blankenship, age 87, of La Follette, Tennessee, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday afternoon, February 16, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his family and friends.

He was born on February 15, 1938, to the late Alonzo Blankenship and Jessie (Douglas) Blankenship in the Lick Fork Community of Campbell County, TN.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy where he proudly served our country for 20 years.  He was also retired from La Follette Utilities after 27 years of service. 

Kelsey had been a Master Mason for 48 years.  He was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason on December 11, 1975, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on August 22, 1976, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on August 28, 1976, at the La Follette Masonic Lodge # 623, which ultimately became Campbell County Masonic Lodge # 778, F. & A. M. 

He was a long-time member of Heritage Baptist Church in La Follette and a Tennessee Colonel.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Dempsey Blankenship, Donald Blankenship, Lloyd Blankenship, Wilson Blankenship and Cannie Blankenship; two sisters, Charlotte Phillips and Leona Blankenship; two brothers-in-law, Charles R. Cox and Robert D. Cox; two sisters-in-law, Willa Jean Huddleston and Yvonne Cox; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alonzo Cox and Alice (Freeman) Cox.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Joyce Ann (Cox) Blankenship; sister, Murline Smith, of Russell Springs, Kentucky; brother-in-law, Joe Don Cox, and wife, Mollie, of Jellico; sisters-in-law, Wilma T. Cox, of Jellico, and Elizabeth “Lynn” Cox, of Knoxville; several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends, neighbors, and other relatives to mourn his passing. 

The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon, February 23, 2025, beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Heritage Baptist Church in La Follette with Masonic Funeral Rites to be conducted by the Campbell County Masonic Lodge, # 778, beginning at 3:45 p.m. 

The funeral service will immediately follow at 4:00 p.m. at the Heritage Baptist Church with the Rev. Fred Ward and the Rev. Roger Hilliard officiating.

Military Graveside Honors will be conducted by the Jellico Honor Guard on Monday morning, February 24, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Valley View Cemetery located in Elk Valley.  Interment will immediately follow.

Llewellyn Funeral Home of Jellico is honored to serve the family of Kelsey Blankenship.