Jackie Lavon Blankenship

Funeral services for Mr. Jackie Lavon Blankenship, age 78, will be held at 11 am on Friday, May 16th, 2025, at Lawrence-Sorensen Funeral Home with Bro. Justin Griffin officiating. Interment will follow at Beech Bluff Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held from 9 – 11 am before the service.

Jackie passed away on May 12th, 2025, at the TN State Veterans Home in Humboldt, TN after several months battling multiple health issues. He was born on December 26th, 1946, in Jackson, TN to the late Irvin Blankenship and Mary Lavern Thomas Blankenship. Jackie is a lifelong resident of the Beech Bluff Community and graduated from Beech Bluff High School in 1964. He then attended the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Memphis, TN where he graduated with a certification in Machine Tool Technology. He is a long-time member of Maple Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Beech Bluff. Jackie dedicated over 38 years of service as a machinist to Consolidated Aluminum (and various other names as the company was sold multiple times over the years). Jackie proudly served in the TN Army National Guard from 1966 – 1972 when he received an Honorable Discharge as a Sergeant, Radio Operator, and Sharpshooter.

Jackie was an avid outdoorsman that enjoyed hunting and fishing during any season throughout the year. He never met a stranger and had a true servant’s heart. Whether at the river, at the boat races, or anywhere he went, he truly made an impact on people. Jackie could work on anything, but not just work on it, he could fix it too. He is one of the biggest TN fans you could ever meet and never went anywhere without his Bill Dance TN hat. His family meant everything, and he cherished any time with his children Brent, Jeff, and Mae. Jackie’s most treasured role was that of “Papa Jack” or “PJ” to his five beloved grandchildren: Camden, Emma, Layton, Sara, and Jacob. He was always cheering them on at sporting events, teaching them about the outdoors, or just sharing a laugh.

Jackie is survived by his sons Brent Blankenship (Jennifer), Jeff Blankenship, and daughter Mae Robertson (Ashley); brother, Tommy Blankenship (Deborah); grandchildren, Camden and Layton Robertson, and Emma, Sara, and Jacob Blankenship.

Pallbearers to serve will be Layton Robertson, Jacob Blankenship, Brent Blankenship, Jeff Blankenship, Ashley Robertson, Tommy Blankenship, Robert Taylor, and John Chlarson.

Honorary pallbearers are Wayne Blankenship, Larry Ross, James Kirkpatrick, and Tracy Harris.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jackie’s memory to Maple Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church or Lifeline Blood Services.