Evelyn Roberta Perry Blankenship

Evelyn Roberta Perry Blankenship, 92, went to be with the Lord on September 3, 2018.  Evelyn was born December 28, 1925 in Williamsport, Indiana to the late Omer Glen and Mabel L. (McKinzie) Perry.  Her family moved to Indianapolis when she was 9, where she lived the rest of her life.  She married the love of her life, Jonah Clark Blankenship (deceased) on September 18, 1943.  They were married 65 years.

Evelyn was retired from the State of Indiana where she worked at the State Board of Health and the Department of Public Welfare.

Evelyn was always involved in a variety of activities, many of which were volunteer work.  She was an expert seamstress and helped earn money for her family by doing alterations for hire and selling hundreds of Barbie Doll clothes.  Evelyn helped alter and sew sequins and embellishments on the outfits of the Decatur Central High School Band baton twirlers.  She made many items to attach to wheelchairs for Indianapolis Crossroads Rehabilitation.  For many years, she made doll clothes for dolls that her friend repaired and gave to the children for Christmas at the Muscatatuck Children’s Home in Muscatatuck, Indiana.

During her adult years, Evelyn made 36 quilts, most of which she gave to her children, grandchildren, and other family members.

In the early 1960’s, Evelyn wrote a column for the Mooresville Times, titled Lyndhurst, reporting on various events, illnesses, holidays, and general information about residents in the Lyndhurst Drive and Mooresville Road area of Decatur Township.  For several years, she also was a member of the Decatur Township Homemakers Club.

In the 1980’s, Evelyn volunteered at the Decatur Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where she helped the residents with craft activities, particularly helping the residents make a quilt.  She won the Volunteer of the Year award.

Evelyn was also preceded in death by a son, Robert Edward Blankenship, and two sisters – Ruth Perry Blankenship and Barbara Perry Bland.  She is survived by one son, Ronald Eugene (Linda) Blankenship of Pinellas Park, Florida, one daughter, Rosemary Blankenship Price of Indianapolis, IN, four grandchildren – Lori Blankenship of Noblesville, IN, Kimberly (James) Duffie of Greenwood, IN, Shelley (Mark) Doodeman of Pensacola, Florida, and Heather (Andy) Sutherlin of Belle Union, IN, and 5 great-grandchildren – Brianna Duffie, Justin Duffie, Hannah Doodeman, Bobbie Lee Sutherlin, and A.J. Sutherlin, brother, Leroy Perry, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday, September 6, 2018 from 4 to 8 pm at Flanner Buchanan-Decatur Township.  Services will be Friday, September 7, 2018 at 1 pm with visitation from noon at Flanner Buchanan-Decatur Township.  Burial will follow at Floral Park Cemetery.