Jonathan Lee Blankenship

Early on September 6th, 2021, Jonathan Lee Blankenship, of Kenova, WV, formerly of Raysal, WV, passed away peacefully in his sleep. Jonathan was always smiling and happy and was loved by everyone who knew him. He was a joy to be around and in his 28 short years with us, his outgoing and lively personality made a lasting impression in the lives of those he met along the way. But grief is hard, especially when saying goodbye to someone so young who added so much noise, laughter and fun to our lives. For now, our houses and our hearts are strangely quiet. There are no calls with news from his day or funny texts he would send to lighten our moods. He was at once a handful and a delight, but he was always with us, supporting and loving his family and many friends. In our sorrow we pull together as the family he built, each hurting for our loss but hopeful for the day when we will see his smiling face once again, that smiling, happy and loving young man who gave us so much and left us way too soon. He was preceded in death by his father John William Blankenship, his aunt Amy Morgan, his paternal grandfather Johnny Blankenship, and great grandfather Bill Mullins, also, by his special maternal grandparents Wilson and Phyllis Cantrell. So many remain to cherish his memory. He will be greatly missed by his mother, Sammi Leigh Greenwale, his two brothers, Tyler Blankenship and Gabriel Greenwale, maternal grandparents Vincent and Sally Cantrell, who treated Jonathan as a son, and maternal grandmother Lovina Coffin. He will also be missed by his aunts and uncles Jennifer and Rich Spangler with whom he shared a special bond and Paul and Melissa Cantrell. His cousins include Gatlin Spangler who was in many ways as close as a brother, Kevin Cantrell and Mikayla Napier. Also left to cherish Jonathan’s memory include his girlfriend, Kalen Stapleton and AJ Johnson whom Jonathan referred to as his brother as well as Devon Lamar Johnson II who Jonathan lovingly referred to as his nephew, his cousins, Jordan Blankenship, Wynter, Brandon, and Brooklyn Morgan. Jonathan also leaves behind a host of other family members and friends that share in our grief. His life, though short, touched many lives. We will gather at Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV on Saturday, September 18, 2021 to honor and celebrate his life, his funny antics, and our own loss. We invite all those who knew him to join us in this remembrance he brought to our lives. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM with Reverend Paul Cantrell officiating at The Fanning Funeral Home Chapel in Iaeger. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fanningfuneralhomes.com. Fanning Funeral Home is serving the family.