Gene Edward Blankenship, 79 of Columbus, MS passed away Wednesday, January 26, 2022, in DeSoto County, MS.

Services will be at a later date.

Mr. Blankenship was born May 24, 1942, in Jewell-Valley, VA to the late George Haskel and Betty Jean Wimmer Blankenship. He attended Whitewood High School.  Mr. Blankenship was a veteran of the United States Army and currently self-employed as a truck driver.

Mr. Blankenship is survived by his wife – Donnie McNally Blankenship, Columbus, MS; daughter – Crystal Stephens, Columbia, SC; son – Michael (Rachel) Boyle, Columbus, MS; 6 grandchildren – Seth Stephens, Ashley (Neal) Bostick, Caleb Boyle, Hannah (Jordan) Derise, Heather (Taylor) Colburn and John (Alexis) Bishop; 6 great-grandchildren – Jackson Bostick, Alex Bostick, Haygen Boyle, Nora Stephens, Sadie James Bostick, and Floyd Rigdon Bostick; brother – James Everett Blankenship, Taswell, VA; step-brothers – James Griffin, Eupora, MS and Kenny Griffin, Eupora, MS.