Elijah Clinton Blankenship, Jr., age 66, of Covington, Virginia died Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at the VA Medical Center-Salem.

He was the husband of the late Carland Persinger Blankenship.

Mr. Blankenship was born on May 5, 1952 in Alleghany County, the son of the late Elijah Clinton Blankenship, Sr. and Mary Belle Hubbard.

He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.

Mr. Blankenship was a self-employed contractor. He loved to build things with wood, fix wagons, mechanical things and any odd job needed.

He was of the Baptist faith.

Mr. Blankenship is survived by his son, Bob Garza and wife, Sharon of Texas; daughter, Cary Ann Liptrap and husband, Mike of Covington; half brother, David Persinger and wife, Reta of Low Moor; one sister, Irene Belton of Morganton NC; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Blankenship is preceded in death by a half brother, Claton P. Persinger.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 22, 2018 from the Chapel of Loving Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert W. Smith Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at Lone Star Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Loving Funeral Home.

Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.