Donny Hugh Blankenship

Donny Hugh Blankenship was born February 28, 1944 at his parents’ home in Elk Valley, Tennessee.  He is the son of general store owners, Verldon and Minnie York Blankenship. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Rita Faye Roberts of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Donny was a loving father to his three children, Donny “Boss” Hugh Blankenship, II of Rineyville, Kentucky, Della Cherrie Blankenship Cutchins of Anchorage, Alaska, and Crystal Dawn Blankenship Bayles of Franklin, Kentucky. He was “PaPa” to his six grandchildren: Brylee Blankenship, Brandon Blankenship, Brianna Blankenship, Nadia Cutchins, Grady Cutchins, and Benjamin Bayles. 

Donny was raised in Campbell County, Tennessee, where he graduated from Jellico High.  He ran cross country for Cumberland College. In 1965, he received his bachelor's degree from Cumberland College. In 1969, he earned his master’s degree from Western Kentucky University, followed by his Rank I from Murray State University in 1971. 

Donny started his teaching career at Terry Creek School which was a one room 1st through 6th grade school where he served as the school’s only teacher and administrator. Next, he taught one year at Stinking Creek Elementary.  This is where he spotted “the prettiest girl he ever laid eyes on,” Teresa Ayers (Blankenship) at her grandparents' home located next to the school.  He couldn’t take his eyes off of her then nor for the past 59 years that she has been his wife. 

In 1965, Donny was hired to teach Biology and Chemistry at Meade County High School in Brandenburg, Kentucky.  Over three decades he taught a multitude of students. In addition to offering a solid foundation in the sciences, he frequently told life lesson stories of his youth in Eastern Tennessee, hunting ginseng, and driving Chevelles.  Soon after moving to Meade County, he became a third generation ginseng dealer.  He carefully taught his son, Boss, the trade. In addition, Donny was a realtor at Meade County Reality, fur trader, sold cars at Ray’s Ford and helped with the Fireworks business in the summers. 

For several years he coached the Science Club’s basketball team and Ekron Baptist Church Youth Softball team.  With a group of teachers, he played softball on the Old Timers team.  Also, he played for the adult Ekron Baptist Church softball team. His long stature and flexibility made him a solid first baseman. He liked to farm, fish and was a nature enthusiast. No matter the pressures of teaching and his ginseng business, countless evenings he played with his three children in the yard. He was a master at always making time for the important things in life. 

Since the early 1970s, Ekron Baptist Church has been both Donny and Teresa’s church home.  Ekron Baptist Church was a place he cherished getting to worship his Lord and Savior and served as a Deacon for many years. He would encourage anyone who was looking for a church home that they should visit Ekron. 

Donny was a man who had a passion for serving and helping others.  For all who knew Donny, he was a tall, intelligent man with integrity, a kind spirit, a wisdom for business, a unique sense of humor, and a warm smile.  Throughout the years, Donny and his family have been humbled by the good nature, encouragement and innumerable acts of love that people in our community continuously have shown us.  Donny loved Meade County and was proud to call it home until the Lord called him home on March 23, 2025.

Visitation for Donny Hugh Blankenship will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Hager Funeral Home located at 633 Bland Street in Brandenburg, Kentucky and on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM prior to the funeral, at Ekron Baptist Church located at 2775 Hayesville Road, Ekron, Kentucky.  Funeral services will begin at 1:00 PM.  Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Ekron Baptist Church Building Fund.