Paul Bradley Blankenship, 78

He was founder and former owner of Bradley Printing, and a longtime employee of the Smithville Review and Southern Standard. He was also a member of the Gideon?s and was a deacon of New Union The Baptist Church since 1962 and a member for 66 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Reed and Mary Rankhorn Blankenship; brother, Elzie Blankenship; and three sisters, Delma Wright, Nannie Wright, and Lola Griffin.

Survivors include his wife, Geraldine Ray Blankenship of Smithville; two daughters, Paula and her husband Danny Roller of Rock Island and Teresa and her husband Keith Turner of Maryville; four grandchildren, Sarah and Mary Elizabeth Roller of Rock Island, and Allison and Daniel Turner of Maryville; one sister, Birdell Lentz of Smithville; his father-in-law, Burnice Ray of Smithville; and a brother-in-law, Grady and his wife Charlotte Ray of Smithville.

Services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Darrell Cantrell, Kenneth Brown, and Anthony Pelham will officiate and burial will be at New Union Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.