Ellen Gertrude Billups Blankenship, 96, formerly from South Shore, Kentucky, passed away on September 10, 2021, at Best Care Nursing Home in Wheelersburg, Ohio. She was born in Leatherwood, Kentucky on August 10, 1925. She was the daughter of the late Arnold and Nellie Billups.
Ellen was married to the late Cam Blankenship on Christmas Day in 1945 and they had 8 children together. Ellen was involved in her community of South Shore and was honored by the Mayor of South Shore and awarded a certificate that proclaimed a day in her name. She loved gardening and sewing.
Preceded in death by two sisters, Fern Fleck and Edith Lowdenback; three brothers, Eugene Billups, Wendell Billups, and Arnold Billups; three children, Larry Blankenship, Steven Blankenship, and Tim Blankenship.
Surviving are her children, Joyce Downing (Norm), Linda VanBibber, Gloria Marshall (Bill), Bobby Blankenship (Terri), and Tammy Humphrey.
Grandchildren – Stephanie Conley, Matthew Downing (deceased), Wayne VanBibber, Michelle Pennywitt, Robin Spurlock, Scott Marshall, Jason Marshall, Becky Kennedy, Bobbie Marie Hartley, Steven Payton, Sean Payton, Madison Humphrey, and Garrett Humphrey.
Great Grandchildren – Logan Conley, Jennifer Conley, Meigan Conley, Shyann Mullins, Zac Vanbibber, Elizabeth Vanbibber, Casey Clevenger, Jonathan Marshall, Nolan Marshall, Alyssa Marshall, Natasha Terry, Ethan Terry, Tyson Spurlock, Haley Tackett, Hannah Tackett, and Kaley Marshall.
Great great Grandchildren – Jules Clevenger, Jolee Clevenger, Hayes Clevenger, Zander Payton, Connor Payton, and Lacelynn Tackett.
Ellen will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Funeral Services will be 2 P.M. Sunday, September 12, 2021, at Morton-Hunt Family Funeral Home in South Shore, KY., with Calvin Ray Evans officiating. Burial will follow at Collier Memorial Gardens in South Portsmouth, KY. Visitation will be Sunday at the funeral home from 1 P.M. until the funeral hour.