Dixie Mae Blankenship, 86, of Mt. Vernon, passed away Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at her home.
She was born August 13, 1932, in Jefferson County, the daughter of Rex and Pauline (Fry) McConnaughhay. On November 10, 1952, in Pocahontas, Arkansas, she married David E. Blankenship, and he preceded her on May 22, 1980.
Mrs. Blankenship attended Helm Grade School, Mt. Vernon Township High School, and Salem High School. She worked as a Beautician, and also worked at the Jefferson County Courthouse, Dobbs, and Cusumano and Sons Produce. She was an avid collector, and enjoyed genealogy.
She is survived by two daughters, Sherry Vieira of Salem, and Davette Struck and husband James of Fenton, Missouri; three grandchildren, Craig Vieira and wife Cheryl of Salem, Jennifer Mann and husband Ed of Salem, and Rachel Struck of Fenton, Missouri; four great-grandchildren, Cole Vieira, Kiley Vieira, Tyson Mann, and MacKenzie Mann, all of Salem; one sister, Shirley Cusumano of Mt. Vernon; four nephews, Rex Cusumano and wife Mary Ellen of Mt. Vernon, Dr. Stephen Cusumano and wife Donna of Chesterfield, Missouri, Jeffrey Cusumano and wife Toni of Sarasota, Florida, and Victor Cusumano and wife Vickie of Mt. Vernon; one brother-in-law, Bill Blankenship and wife Rosie of Texico; and one sister-in-law, Joyce Dace and husband Kenny of Kell; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and one sister-in-law, Eleanor Johnson, and husband Joe.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Blankenship will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 24, 2019, at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, with Russell Courson officiating. Burial will follow at Union Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. (Noon) until the hour of service, at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be made to Union Chapel Cemetery, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.