BLANKENSHIP , Amos Odell, 65, of Narrows, died Thursday, January 31, 2002, in the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. A lifelong resident of Giles County, he was born on August 25, 1936, and was the son of the late Burman and Nellie Ratcliffe Blankenship. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Mitzi Elizabeth Blankenship, three brothers, Emmitt Blankenship, Haden Blankenship, Luther Blankenship, two sisters, Helen Blankenship, Mae Hazelwood. He was employed as a Millwright at the Celanese Company Plant at Narrows. He attended the Riverview Baptist Church, Ripplemead, and was a veteran of the Narrows Volunteer Fire Department, having served 43 years in the department. During his years as a member of the Narrows Volunteer Fire Department, he held several offices within the company, the last being Captain. He was a member of the Virginia State Fireman's Association, the Southwest Virginia Fireman's Association, and the Giles County Fireman's Association. He is survived by his wife, Alice M. Blankenship; two sons, Robin O. Blankenship, Keith W. Blankenship and his wife, Charlene, Narrows; a daughter and her husband, Debbie and Lonnie Green, Narrows; three brothers, Donald Blankenship and his wife, Elsie Mae, Radford, Avery Blankenship and his wife, Patricia, Salem, Roger Blankenship, Winfield, W.Va.; a sister, Rhodessa B. Riddle, Narrows; three grandchildren, Jessica Green, Katlin Albert, Kayla Vaughn.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 3, 2002, at 2 p.m. at the Riverview Baptist Church, Ripplemead with Rev. Shahn Wilburn officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Narrows. Friends may call at Riffe's Funeral Service in Narrows Saturday after 2 p.m. Those who wish to meet the family may do so that evening at the funeral home from 6 to 9 p.m. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be members of the Narrows Volunteer Fire Department and member departments of the Giles County Fireman's Association.