Iris Louise Hodges Blankenship | Eastern NC Now

    Mrs. Iris Louise Hodges Blankenship, age 95, a former resident of Washington, NC died Wednesday August 9, 2023, at East Carolina Health Hospital in Tarboro.

    A graveside funeral will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday August 12, 2023, at Oakdale Cemetery officiated by Wayne Black. The family will receive friends following the service at the cemetery.

    Mrs. Blankenship was born in Beaufort County on October 20, 1927, daughter of the late James Henry Hodges, Sr. and the late Mary Jane Waters Hodges. She was a graduate of Washington High School. On May 26, 1973, she married Bobby Glenn Blankenship who preceded her in death on May 25, 1995. While living in Virginia Beach she worked as a bookkeeper with Charles Saunders Accounting in Norfolk. She was a member of Asbury Methodist Church. While living in Virginia she was very active in her church there. She loved Hockey and Baseball and was a senior volunteer at games in the area and was thrilled to throw the "first pitch" out at a game. Even when she didn't want to eat you could get her to eat candy or cookies.

    Survivors include nephews: Ronald Hodges and his wife Pam of Winterville, Randy Hodges and his wife Donna of Winterville, Larry Hodges of Greenville, and Barbara Black of Pinetown. Mrs. Blankenship was preceded in death, along with her parents and husband, by brothers: James H. Hodges, Jr., and Jesse "J.T." Hodges; sister: Allie Grey Alligood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

    Mrs. Blankenship leaves behind many much loved great nieces and nephews to carry on her favorite family recipes.

    "The family would like to thank the employees and staff of Spring Arbor in Grenville and the Bridges of Hendricks Creek in Tarboro for their amazing care and compassion for Iris."

    In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made to Maynard Childrens Hospital, ECU Health Foundation, P.O. Box 8489, Greenville, NC 27835-8489.

    Condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Blankenship family.