Mary Ellen Blankenship, daughter of the late Deloyce Robinson and Mary Grace Carter Robinson was born on January 5, 1930 in Knoble, Arkansas and departed this life on Monday April 8, 2019 at her residence in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 89 years.

Mrs. Blankenship was a member of the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Dexter, graduated from Dexter High School in 1947 and attended Poplar Bluff Business College. Mary Ellen was the Executive Director Dexter Chamber of Commerce for 18 years, Dexter City Clerk for five years, and a resident of Dexter.

On December 19, 1947 she was united in marriage to Robert (BOB) W. Blankenship in Dexter, Missouri.  Mr. Blankenship preceded her in death on May 2, 2005.

Survives include one son, Robert Scott Blankenship (Jana) of Dexter; one, daughter-in-law, Kaye Blankenship Taylor of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; by one brother, Jamie Robinson of Dexter; by two sisters, Ann Smyth (Jim) of Dexter and June Horton (John ) of Alabama; also by four grandchildren, Matt Blankenship, Wes Blankenship (Brandy), Jordan Blankenship Boyer (Cody), and Jessica Blankenship; and by one great-grandchild, Madison Lane Blankenship.

Besides her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by one son, Richard (Rick) Blankenship, one grandson, Tommy Blankenship, two brothers, Tommy Robinson and Carter Robinson.

Visitation will be held at the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Dexter on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. 

A Memorial service will then be conducted on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Mike Williams officiating and Rev. Elijah Allen assisting.

Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.

Memorials can be made to the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 224 East Stoddard Street, Dexter, Missouri 63841.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.