Thomas Blankley

Thomas (Tommy) William Blankley of Clinton, MS, formerly of Shelby, MS, died Sunday night, November 20, 2011, at his home in Clinton,following a short battle with cancer, with his wife, his children and grandchildren at his bedside. Tommy was born on May 9, 1927, to Herrick Joseph and Corinne Whitten Blankley.
He spent his entire life in Shelby until he moved to Clinton about two years ago. Tommy proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 17th birthday, the first day he was eligible to volunteer. He was a member of the Decker- Maletesta American Legion Post in Shelby. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Eric J. Blankley. He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Dixie Keith Blankley, two daughters, Leah Blankley Sandidge (Guy) and Neva Blankley Sabbatini (Bill), both of Clinton, MS, eight grandchildren whom he doted on, Emily Sandidge of Hermitage, TN, Amy Sandidge and Kyle Sandidge of Clinton, MS, Keith (Karen) Sandidge of Madison, MS, Meghan Sandidge of Starkville, MS. Kacie and Cory Sabbatini, Clinton, MS, and Whitten Sabbatini of Clinton and Mississippi State, MS; five great grandchildren who were the bright lights in his daily life, Emerson Sandidge, Leeana Sandidge, Kameron Sandidge, Dyllan Joiner, and Joey Navarro.
Tommy spent most of his life in the beef cattle business and when he sold his herd to make the move to Clinton he remarked that for the first time in seventy-four years, he did not own a single cow. To say he loved his cattle was an understatement. He was a faithful member of First Belleview Baptist Church of Shelby, but since moving to Clinton was faithful in attending Parkway Baptist Church in Clinton until he became ill in September.
Services will be conducted at First Belleview Baptist Church, by Rev. Jimmy Breland and Rev. David Koons in Shelby MS at two p.m. Tuesday, November 22, 2011, with visitation in the church sanctuary from one to two p.m. Burial will be in the Shelby Cemetery under the direction of Ray Funeral Home, Cleveland, MS.
Pallbearers will be grandsons Kyle and Keith Sandidge, Cory and Whitten Sabbatini, long time friend Tom Holder, and nephew Charlie Heinsz.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to wish to memorialize him, please contribute to the charity of your choice.

First Visitation

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Tuesday, November 22, 2011
First Bellview Baptist Church 2nd Ave Shelby, Mississippi, United States

Service Information

2:00 pm Tuesday, November 22, 2011
First Bellview Baptist Church 2nd Ave Shelby, Mississippi, United States

Interment Information

Shelby Cemetery Shelby Shelby, Mississippi, United States