Shirley A. Blankenship, 79, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2015 at her home. She was born in Toledo, OH but lived in Polk County most of her adult life. She cared for others by volunteering to make sure their needs were met. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and attending Happy Hearts. She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley Bert and Sina Arminda Tyson Mowery; brothers, Jim and Burton Mowery and sister, Ellen Knill. She is survived by her daughters Kathy and husband Bobby Wilcoxon and Chris and husband Robert Yates; grandchildren, Rebecca Akins, Jason and wife Eleesha Wilcoxon, Candice and husband Coleby Hooker, Whitney and husband Jeremy Reeves, Kendra and husband Dirk Hill; great grandchildren, Briley Wilcoxon, Kynslee Hooker, Timmy and Taten Hill; several nieces, nephews and other extended family members and friends also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Ball Play Baptist Church with the Reverend Matthew Harris officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2015 in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home and Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Ball Play Baptist Church from 3-4 p.m. prior to the service. Serving as pallbearers; Jason Wilcoxon, Bobby Wilcoxon, Robert Yates, Dirk Hill, Coleby Hooker and Jeremy Reeves. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Blankenship family guestbook at www.higginsfuneral.com. Higgins Funeral Home of Benton, TN is in charge of the arrangements.