Ann Elizabeth Blankenship

Ann Elizabeth Blankenship 69, Bolivar passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at the Magnolia Square Nursing Home in Springfield, MO. Ann Elizabeth Harris was born April 14, 1949 in St Louis, Missouri to David and Jewel Mitchener Harris. In 1956 Ann was born again, giving her life to Jesus Christ. She was baptized at Webster Groves Baptist Church. On June 22, 1968 Ann was married to Robert Daniel Blankenship in Palmyra, Missouri. To this union were born three daughters, Kimberly Ann, Barbara Ruth and Rebecca Ray. Later, to their family were chosen Robert Shawn, Anthony Lee, Codey Daniel, Dierra Dawn and Keisha Nicole. Ann felt very strongly God's calling in her life in three areas. First and foremost a calling to family - as a wife and mother. Ann loved children, all children, and some 25 foster children passed through their home over the years. She also loved children in her church family and often served as a preschool Sunday school teacher, choir teacher, GA leader and VBS teacher. Following in the footsteps of her mother, aunts and maternal grandfather, music was Ann's second calling and very important to her. She served numerous churches as pianist and organist over 35 years as well as singing and directing in church choirs. Family singing in the car was a regular pastime. Thirdly, Ann felt God's call in the ministry of nursing. She graduated from St. John's School of Nursing in 1984 and worked many years in pediatrics, public health, home health and hospice. Ann is survived by Dan, her loving husband and best friend of 50 years and her children; Kim Childress & husband Glenn of Cross Timbers; Barbara Peterson of Bolivar and fiance Jason Fulson of Grand Forks, North Dakota; Becky Sullins and husband Steve of Everton; Shawn Blankenship of Bolivar, Tony Blankenship and wife Cassie of Columbia; Codey Blankenship of Cross Timbers; Dee Dee Blankenship of Bolivar; and Keisha Blankenship of Bolivar. She is survived by 10 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, 3 step- great-grandchildren and a great-grandson to arrive in September; Heather, Haley and husband Holden Cauthron and Holden Childress; Ashley (Peterson) and husband Andy Bean, Ryan and wife Kaci, Nathan, Jordan, Jacob, Alexis, Sarah and Aaron Peterson; Brittney and Brady Marshall and Andrew Sullins; Wes and Kate Bean, Nicholas Peterson and baby Layne Cauthron in September. Ann is survived by three brothers and their wives; Bill Harris and wife Dinny of Alexandria, Virginia; John Harris and wife Lois of Sandy Springs, Maryland; and Don Harris and wife Norma of Bradenton, Florida and a host of family and friends. Ann was preceded in death by her parents, David and Jewel Harris, a son-in-law, David Peterson, and two foster children. Services for Ann will be held 11:00 AM Friday, July 6, 2018 at the Bolivar First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Church. Burial will be at 3:00 PM at the Cross Timbers Cemetery, in Cross Timbers, Missouri.

Ann Elizabeth Blankenship

April 14, 1949 - July 3, 2018