Mrs. Melba Lee Crummey Blankenship, 76, formerly of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Saturday morning, August 12, 2017 at the North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla.
Born in Baxley, Ga., she was the eldest and last living child born to the late Linton Lee and Ora Lee Reeves Simmons. She grew up in Baxley and at the age of 16 met James H. Crummey, whom she would marry in 1957. The newlyweds made their first home in the Dinsmore section of North Jacksonville, where her husband entered the ministry as a minister in the Church of God. She and her husband envisioned and led the ministry of the Dinsmore Church of God for many years before serving at the Dunedin Church of God. They later were asked to lead the Bailey Road Church of God in Fernandina Beach before serving in Merritt Island until retiring in October 1996. A year later, her husband, Reverend James H. Crummey passed away. In 2001, Mrs. Crummey married Reverend Benford Blankenship. The Blankenships made their home in Melrose, Fla. Rev. Blankenship passed away on June 27 of this year.
As a minister’s wife, Mrs. Crummey Blankenship always supported the efforts of her husbands as they led their congregations. She was the adult Sunday school class teacher.
She enjoyed crossword puzzles, preparation for Sunday school lessons, singing in the choir and, in the most recent years, fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing the piano.
In addition to her husbands, she is preceded in death by her brother, Dennie Roy Simmons.
Mrs. Crummey Blankenship leaves behind her children, Randy Crummey and his wife, Lynne, Mike Crummey and his wife, Carletta, Janice Crawford and her husband, Jack, all of Baxley, Dwaine Crummey and his wife, Lynn, Chatsworth, Ga, Wayne Crummey and his wife, Rebecca, Baxley, Becky Kneeland and her husband, Eric, Kearneysville, W.V.; a sister-in-law, Nancy Simmons, Baxley; 16 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and a niece.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 17, 2017 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard with Reverends Larry Osburn and Sara Perry Teams officiating.
Mrs. Crummey Blankenship will be laid to rest beside her husband in Bosque Bello Cemetery.
Her family will receive friends on Wednesday between 4 and 6 p.m. at Oxley Heard.
Please share her Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors