Dulcie Irene Blankenship, age 95, of Southside, Arkansas, passed away peacefully Jan. 30, 2021, at Wood-Lawn Heights, in Batesville, Arkansas.
She was born Oct. 30, 1925, in Floral, Arkansas to Marion Wyatt and Dixie Nova Pate.
She married Dalton Dean Blankenship on May 13, 1944, and was just three weeks short of celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary when he preceded her in death in 2015.
Irene was a housewife for many years and then worked alongside her husband in his businesses until they retired.
She was an accomplished seamstress who loved to sew and quilt and all of her family has been blessed with her beautiful handiwork.
Irene went to school in Pleasant Plains, Arkansas, but lived most of her life in Forrest City, Arkansas where she and Dalton raised their family. They later moved to West Memphis, Arkansas where they owned The American Burger and upon retirement moved to Southside, Arkansas. She was a member of the West Baptist Church in Batesville.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brothers; Ernest, Arnold, and Dwaine.
She is survived by her son, Ronald Blankenship and his wife Georgette, her daughter Barbara Cannon and her husband Stephen, and her daughter Cathy Needham. She also leaves five grandsons; Jesse and David Blankenship, Scott and Christopher Cannon, and Brandon Needham, and four great-grandchildren; Brielle, Hannah, Katelyn, and Elijah Cannon, and many nephews and nieces.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private graveside service will be held at the Cedar Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery in Floral with Pastor Troy Sharp officiating.
Arrangements are by Qualls Batesville Funeral Service.
