Mabel Iona Blankenship Earnest

(August 19, 1939 ~ August 29, 2012)

Mabel Iona Blankenship Earnest, daughter of James Harold Blankenship and Mildred Lorena Gill, married to Dinzel Ray 'D.R.' Earnest and buried in Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas.  Iona attended school with South Taylor Flying Tigers class of 1957.

Iona Earnest

Abilene

Iona Earnest, 73, passed away Wednesday, August 29, 2012 in Abilene, TX. Visitation will be 6 PM until 8 PM, Thursday, August 30, 2012 at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Funeral service will be 1:30 PM, Friday, August 31, 2012 in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow the service at Texas State Veteran's Cemetery.

Iona was born August 19, 1939 in Ovalo, TX to Harold and Mildred Gill Blankenship. She attended South Taylor High School and married D.R. Earnest in 1956. They moved to El Paso, TX where D.R. was stationed in the United States Air Force. After being stationed in Japan, they moved back to Abilene where she worked as a cosmetologist. She worked most of her career at Arties Cameo and Leggett Salon. She served as a Deacon at Brookhollow Christian Church, enjoyed sewing, cooking, and gardening. Spending time with and taking care of her family was the thing that brought her the most joy.

Iona is survived by her husband of 56 years, Dinzel Ray Earnest; three children, Gale Barnhill and husband Ken of Lake Dallas, Diana Walker and husband Steve of Tuscola, Danny Earnest and wife Debbie of Frisco; ten grandchildren, Iona Shaye Robinson, Kenneth Barnhill, Robert Barnhill, Rebecca Barnhill, Kari Barnhill, Jeremy Walker, Lyndi Manning, Lacey Gaffney, Ryan Earnest, Garrett Earnest; eight great grandchildren, Kenneth Robinson Jr., Iona Keeley Robinson, Kealey Barnhill, Kenneth Barnhill III, Andrew Ryan Barnhill, Hannah Walker, Maggie Walker, Madelynn Manning; one sister, Anita Evans; one brother, Don Blankenship; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Juanita Cumby and Jeanette Pittman.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, TX 79601

Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family through the obituary link at www.elmwoodfuneral.com.
 

Published in Abilene Reporter-News on August 30, 2012